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IRCTC Pilgrim special trains fares – Bharat Darshan Train Fare – Astha circuit train fare

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IRCTC Pilgrim special trains fares – Bharat Darshan Train Fare – Astha circuit train fare

Bharat Darshan Train Ticket Price

The passenger tariff of Pilgrim Special Train, Aastha circuit special train fare and Bharat Darshan Train Ticket Price will be Rs. 900/- per day per pax for Sleeper Class Tourist and upto Rs.1500/- per day per pax for 3 AC Class Tourist.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
RAILWAY BOARD

No. 2019/Tourism/140/9

New Delhi, dated the 11th February, 2025.

The General Manager(s),
All Indian Railways.

The Chairman and Managing Director,
Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Ltd.,
IRCTC Corporate Office, B-148, 11th Floor,
Statesman House, Barakhamba Road,
New Delhi-110 001.

(Commercial Circular No. 06 of 2025)

Sub: Pilgrim Special Trains.

Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) have approved the charging principles and composition of Pilgrim Special Train and decided the charging principles and composition as under:

(i) Pilgrim Special Train will be operated on applicable charging principle of Bharat Darshan / Astha Circuit Trains.
(ii) The composition of Pilgrim Special Train will be 13 LHB coaches comprising 5 LWACCN + 5 LWGSCN + 2 LWRRM + 1 LWACWCP.
(iii) The passenger tariff of Pilgrim Special Train will be Rs. 900/- per day per pax for Sleeper Class Tourist and upto Rs.1500/- per day per pax for 3 AC Class Tourist.

2. All other instructions issued w.r.t. Bharat Darshan / Astha Circuit Trains will be applicable to Pilgrim Special Train as well.

3. The above charging principles and composition of Pilgrim Special Train will be on trial basis for a period of six months from the date of issue of this circular i.e. till 10.08.2025, to be reviewed thereafter.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry ofrdtajhvays

sd/-
(Philip Varghese)
Director (Tourism & Catering)
(Railway Board)

Source: http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/

Here’s a detailed guide to IRCTC’s Pilgrim Special / Bharat Darshan / Astha (Aastha) Circuit Train fares as per latest official policies and confirmed packages:

🧾 IRCTC Pilgrim Penalization & Bharat Darshan / Astha Circuit Fare Structure

🔹 Official Fare Structure (Railway Board Circular Feb 2025)

  • Pilgrim Special / Bharat Darshan / Astha Circuit Tourist Trains are billed at:
    • ₹900 per person per day for Sleeper Class
    • Up to ₹1,500 per person per day for 3AC Class
  • This pricing structure and the coach composition (LHB rakes including AC, sleeper, toilet, guard coach) were approved initially for six months from February 2025—extensions assumed in later years.

📦 Sample Package Fares (Bharat Darshan & Astha Circuit)

🔸 Astha Circuit / Pilgrim Special Packages

These are organised IRCTC group pilgrimage tours offering all-inclusive travel, food, lodging, and transfers:

  • Astha Circuit (typically Northeast or Kamakhya-origin):
    • Sleeper (Standard class): ~₹11,340 per person
    • 3AC (Comfort): ~₹18,900 per person
      These include train travel, dormitory/hall stay, vegetarian meals, local bus transfers, tour escort, and insurance.

🔸 Bharat Darshan Tourist Train Packages

These range from regional pilgrim circuits (Northern, Southern, Jyotirlinga routes):

  • Example packages include:
    • Vaishno Devi + Amritsar circuit (202018): ₹7,560 per person in Sleeper, ₹9,240 in Comfort AC
    • Dakshin Darshan Yatra (Madurai / Kanyakumari circuit): ₹10,395–₹12,705
    • 7 Jyotirlinga Yatra, Kedarnath Darshan, etc., with fares from ₹23,575 (SL) to ₹69,990 (1AC).

📋 Summary Table of Fares

Package / Train Type Class Fare per day or tour
Pilgrim Special train (standard tariff) Sleeper ₹900 / day per person
Pilgrim Special train (3AC tourist) 3AC Up to ₹1,500 / day per person
Astha Circuit package Sleeper ₹11,340 total (multi‑day tour)
Astha Circuit package 3AC ₹18,900 total
Bharat Darshan Special (Vaishno Devi + Amritsar) Sleeper ₹7,560 total
Bharat Darshan Special (Vaishno Devi + Amritsar) 3AC ₹9,240 total
Dakshin Darshan / Jyotirlinga packages SL / 3AC ₹10,000–₹40,000 per tour
Kedarnath Darshan package 3AC / 2AC / 1AC ₹49,990–₹69,990 (10+ nights)

ℹ️ Key Notes & Traveler Tips

  • Per-day fares (₹900–₹1,500) apply only to special pilgrim trains, not standard IRCTC luxury trains like Palace on Wheels or Golden Chariot.
  • Comprehensive packages (Astha / Bharat Darshan) include meals, dorm/hotel stay, transfers, etc., but excludes temple entry fees, optional tours, or upgrades.
  • Leave Travel Concession (LTC) entitlements apply to the train fare and road transfer components (not meals or accommodation).
  • Some packages have dynamic pricing or seasonal surcharges, and fares may vary mid-year. Fare revision took place on 1 July 2025 (1 paise/km for non-AC, 2 paise/km for AC) — this affects regular passenger fare but not necessarily lock-in tour package rates.
  • Users on community forums caution that special trains (with numbers starting with 0) often underperform on punctuality and use older coaches—expect delays.

    “Special trains … run 12‑15 hours late.”

✅ What’s Next?

Would you like:

  • A list of current IRCTC Bharat Darshan or Astha Circuit tour packages available for new bookings?
  • Fare and itinerary for a specific pilgrimage package (e.g. Kedarnath, Dakshin Darshan, or Ajmer)?
  • Help comparing IRCTC packages vs a DIY travel budget for pilgrim trips?

Just let me know — I’d be glad to assist you further!

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