IRCTC launches ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit' heritage train from June 9
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced the launch of a special heritage tourism initiative the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit under its Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train scheme, beginning June 9, 2025. The six-day rail journey will start and end at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, offering tourists a curated experience of significant historical sites related to the life of the Maratha warrior king.
The itinerary includes prominent destinations such as Raigad Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lal Mahal and Shivsrushti in Pune, Bhimashankar Temple, Pratapgad Fort, Kolhapur's Mahalaxmi Temple, and Panhala Fort. The tour spans across five nights and six days, with stops at key stations like Dadar and Thane for boarding and deboarding.
Travel packages are categorised into Economy (Sleeper Class), Comfort (3AC), and Superior (2AC), with services including hotel accommodation, onboard and offboard vegetarian meals, local transportation, tour guides, entry tickets, travel insurance, and security arrange initiative is being supported by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and aims to promote the cultural and historical legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
During the announcement, Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar encouraged tourists to take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore Maharashtra's rich Maratha heritage through this immersive experience. He further emphasised that this tour is not just a travel package but a chance to connect with the valor, vision, and values of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
With visits to forts like Raigad and Pratapgad, and cultural stops such as Shivsrushti and Bhimashankar, the train offers a comprehensive blend of history, devotion, and education. The tour is designed to provide not only convenience but also a deep emotional and historical connection with the Maratha legacy.
Detailed information about the tour is available at the official website of IRCTC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Not a seat left vacant as J&K's all-new Vande Bharat makes first journey from Katra to Srinagar
Two passenger trains will run daily from Katra to Srinagar—one at 8:10 am and another at 2:55 pm. The trains were launched on the eve of Eid-ul-Adha. In fact, according to the IRCTC website, the pairs of trains for Saturday and Sunday were fully booked within hours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating them 6 June. Katra/Jammu: When the Vande Bharat Express left the Katra railway station at 8:10 am Saturday on its first commercial journey to Srinagar, it was 100 percent booked. The return journey is also fully booked, as are the train's journeys on Sunday. The 272-km Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) will provide all-weather connectivity. The historic line connects Kashmir not just to Jammu but to the rest of India via a railway line for the first time. On Friday, PM Modi flagged off two train services: one from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Railway Station in Katra to Srinagar, and the other from Srinagar to Katra. Alongside, the prime minister also inaugurated the world's highest railway arch bridge over the Chenab as well as the country's first cable-stayed bridge of the Indian Railways over Anji Khad. Within Jammu and Kashmir, trains have so far been operational between Banihal and Baramulla in the Kashmir Valley, and between Jammu, Udhampur, and Katra in the Jammu region. But for the first, a direct train link from Jammu's Katra to Srinagar has opened. The launch of this rail link comes just weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Kashmir has seen a dip in tourism since the 22 April attack, and the new train service is being seen as a move toward restoring normalcy in the Valley. In his address, PM Modi said the attack on tourists in Pahalgam was an attempt to 'engineer communal clashes across the country and deprive the people of Kashmir of their livelihood.' Also Read: What Indian Railways needs right now—safety more than speed The inaugural run On 6 June, the inaugural Vande Bharat Express ran from Katra to Sangaldan in Ramban district, and a second service ran from Srinagar to Sangaldan. To reach the station, the train passed through two key engineering landmarks: the Anji Khad cable-stayed bridge and the towering Chenab rail bridge—the tallest railway bridge in the world. In its journey to Sangalda, the train goes through breathtaking lush green hills, stretches of pine forest, and a series of tunnels—almost one every half a kilometre—cut through rugged terrain. According to Northern Railway spokesperson Dilip Kumar, the train has been designed using advanced technology to operate in J&K's tough topographic and climatic conditions. 'The train has been equipped with such technology that it will warm up to provide comfort to the passengers during intense winters the region witnesses,' Kumar told ThePrint. The most challenging part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project was constructing the Chenab rail bridge—made of steel and concrete. It was a difficult task as the region falls in a high-risk seismic zone and witnesses frequent spells of gusty winds. After several trial runs, the train was finally launched on 6 June. According to the railway officials, the Chenab bridge can withstand wind speeds up to 260 km/h. It has a projected lifespan of 120 years. 'This is not any general railway line but an engineering marvel. It's the feather in the cap of Indian Railways and a proud moment for the engineers and everyone involved in building this bridge,' Kumar said. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: Now Katra to Srinagar in just 3 hrs. PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat linking Kashmir to rest of India
Hans India
8 hours ago
- Hans India
IRCTC's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj heritage train tour receives overwhelming response
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Navratna company under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has received an overwhelming response to its newly-launched 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train Tour.' Scheduled to depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai, on June 9, the heritage tour is already fully booked. A total of 710 passengers have secured their spots across various classes, with 480 bookings in Economy (Sleeper Class), 190 in Comfort (3AC), and 40 in Superior (2AC). This six-day train journey has been specially curated to showcase the glorious history and grand legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The tour is the result of a collaborative effort between the Government of Maharashtra, Indian Railways, and IRCTC, aiming to provide travellers with an immersive experience that brings to life the heroic saga of the legendary Maratha ruler. The train will cover historically significant sites such as Raigad Fort, Shivneri Fort, Pratapgad Fort, Panhala Fort, Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati Temple, and Shivsrushti, all closely associated with the key events and life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The journey begins with the train departing from CSMT and heading toward Mangaon station on the Konkan Railway network, the nearest access point to Raigad Fort. Raigad is the site of Shivaji Maharaj's coronation and was his capital. After sightseeing, tourists will travel to Pune for an overnight hotel stay. On the second day, they will visit Lal Mahal, a red palace originally built by Shivaji's father Shahaji Bhosale in 1630, and later rebuilt in 1984. Tourists will also see the Kasba Ganpati Temple, believed to have been established by Shivaji's mother Jijabai, and the historical theme park Shivsrushti, where Shivaji's life story is presented through 3D visuals and interactive exhibits. Visitors will spend a second night in Pune. On the third day, the tour continues to Shivneri Fort, Shivaji Maharaj's birthplace located atop a hill near Junnar and will also visit the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in India. After the visit, tourists return to Pune for overnight rest. On the fourth day, the train will proceed to Satara. From there, travellers will explore Pratapgad Fort, the historic site of the 1659 battle between Shivaji Maharaj and Afzal Khan of the Bijapur Sultanate. After this visit, the group will leave for Kolhapur. The final day of the tour begins with the train arriving at Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus in Kolhapur. Following this, there will be a tour of the iconic Panhala Fort, located in the Sahyadri Hills. This fort has deep historical connections with Shivaji Maharaj, who was held captive there for over 500 days before making a dramatic escape. Known as the 'Fort of Serpents' due to its winding structure, Panhala is also famous for the legendary bravery of Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Shivaji's general, during a crucial battle to retain control of the fort. The tour package includes train travel, comfortable hotel accommodations, all vegetarian meals, transfers and sightseeing via air-conditioned buses, travel insurance, and the assistance of experienced tour escorts. IRCTC has assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers while providing a culturally enriching and memorable journey.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Shivaji heritage train tour to start on June 9
Mumbai: Seven hundred and ten passengers will join the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Train Tour, which departs from CSMT on June 9. The six-day heritage tour, organised by IRCTC in collaboration with the Maharashtra govt and Indian Railways, covers key locations associated with the life of the Maratha ruler. The train will have 480 passengers in sleeper class (economy), 190 in 3AC (comfort), and 40 in 2AC (superior). tnn
