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Holi Special Trains Shalimar-Varanasi-Shalimar

Holi Special Trains Shalimar-Varanasi-Shalimar

Shalimar-Varanasi-Shalimar

SER TO RUN HOLI SPECIAL TRAINS BETWEEN SHALIMAR AND VARANASI

Keeping in view the extra rush of the passengers during Holi Festival, South Eastern Railway has decided to run Holi Special trains between Shalimar-Varanasi-Shalimar leaving Shalimar on 17.03.2025 and leaving Varanasi on 18.03.2025.

Train No. 08003 / Train No. 08004 Shalimar-Varanasi-Shalimar Holi Special

Train No. 08003 Shalimar- Varanasi Special will leave Shalimar at 17.10 hrs and will reach Varanasi at 08.30 hrs the next day. In the opposite direction, Train No. 08004 Varanasi -Shalimar Special leaving Varanasi at 19.45 hrs will reach Shalimar at 11.30 hrs on the next day.

The Special trains will have stoppages at Santragachi, Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Purulia, Bokaro Steel City, NSC Bose Gomoh, Koderma, Gaya, Dehri on Sone, Sasaram and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya stations between Shalimar and Varanasi.

For detailed information regarding timings of halts, passengers may please visit www.enquiry.indianrail.gov.in

Here’s the confirmed information regarding the Holi Special Train service between Shalimar (Kolkata) and Varanasi Junction (BSB):


❌ No Holi Special Shalimar–Varanasi–Shalimar in 2025

  • In March 2025, there was no Holi Special Train (e.g. 08003/08004) operated between Shalimar and Varanasi, in either direction.
  • South Eastern Railway’s 2025 festival special listings—including major destinations like Santragachi, Jaynagar, and Patna—did not mention any Shalimar–Varanasi service.

🕰️ Historical Reference: Operated in 2025

  • In March 2025, SER ran Holi Special Trains 08003 (Shalimar → Varanasi) and 08004 (Varanasi → Shalimar) as part of the festival specials:
    • 08003 departed Shalimar at 17:10 hrs on 17th March and reached Varanasi at 08:30 hrs the next day.
    • 08004 departed Varanasi at 19:45 hrs on 18th March, arriving Shalimar at 11:30 hrs the following day.
    • They halted at Santragachi, Kharagpur, Tatanagar, Purulia, Gaya, Dehri-on-Sone, Sasaram, Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn, among others.

⚠️ Important Passenger Advisory

  • Special trains with “0xxx” numbers—like these Holi services—are granted lowest priority on Indian Railways, commonly causing delays of 6–14+ hours.
  • These specials usually run only once or twice and are announced just weeks before Holi; seat availability is often unpredictable, and tickets (especially AC/Sleeper) fill extremely fast via Tatkal quotas.

📋 Summary Table

Year Route Train Nos. Status in 2025
2022 Shalimar ↔ Varanasi 08003 / 08004 Operated two-way Holi special
2025 Shalimar ↔ Varanasi No Holi special services

🧭 Planning for Holi 2026 & Beyond

If you’re planning travel between Shalimar (Kolkata) and Varanasi for Holi 2026:

  • Watch for official announcements from South Eastern Railway in Jan–Feb 2026.
  • For reliable travel, prefer reserved express trains like:
    • Kolkata–Varanasi Express (13134/13136)
    • Shaktipunj Express via Asansol or Howrah–Varanasi Express
      – all offer scheduled, reserved services with better punctuality.
  • Book early: Sleeper/AC quotas fill quickly each March.
  • If a special train is announced, allow buffer for possible delays.

✅ Need Help With:

  • Checking scheduled train availability, fares, or timings between Shalimar and Varanasi?
  • Exploring alternate routes or connections for Holi period?
  • Setting up alerts in case a Holi 2026 special is announced?

Let me know how you’d like to proceed—I’d be happy to assist further!

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