If you’ve been looking for a comfortable, guided way to cover some of India’s most important eastern pilgrimage sites in one single trip, here’s a new option worth watching. IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) has introduced a fresh rail-based circuit called the “Divine East Temple Tour” on its Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train. The curated itinerary brings together sacred temples, heritage landmarks, and a few relaxed coastal stops across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
Tour Dates and Departure
As announced, the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train will depart from Delhi (Safdarjung Railway Station) on March 9, 2026, and return on March 18, 2026, making it a 9 nights / 10 days journey.
Route at a Glance
The headline destinations on this circuit include Varanasi, Kolkata, Gangasagar, Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark, Chilika, and Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar).
- Varanasi – temple darshan + the iconic ghats experience
- Kolkata – heritage and Kali temples
- Gangasagar – Sagar Sangam holy dip + Kapil Muni Temple
- Puri – Shri Jagannath Temple darshan
- Bhubaneswar – temple city + nearby heritage sites
- Konark – Sun Temple (UNESCO heritage highlight)
- Chilika Lake – a calmer, scenic break on the Odisha stretch
- Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) – one of the 12 Jyotirlingas
What Makes This Circuit Special
This tour is designed for travelers who want a pilgrimage route without the usual planning stress of hotel changes, local transport coordination, and ticketing. Key spiritual and cultural highlights on the announced itinerary include:
Kashi Vishwanath Temple darshan and Ganga Aarti in Varanasi, temple visits in Kolkata (including revered Kali shrines), a full-day trip to Gangasagar, darshan at Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, and a strong Odisha heritage circuit that features Konark Sun Temple.
Onboard Experience and Inclusions
IRCTC positions this as an “all-inclusive” package with a structured, tour-manager-led format. As per the package details and tour announcements, inclusions cover:
train travel on the Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train,
accommodation in air-conditioned hotels (where applicable),
hygienic vegetarian meals,
transfers and sightseeing in AC vehicles,
travel insurance, and IRCTC tour management support.
The Bharat Gaurav Deluxe Tourist Train is promoted as a comfort-forward train with multiple AC cabin categories and onboard dining.
Package Price (Per Person)
Pricing shared for this departure is:
- AC I: ₹1,06,940 per person
- AC II: ₹98,925 per person
- AC III: ₹79,285 per person
Final cost may vary based on occupancy and IRCTC terms, so it’s best to confirm at the time of booking.
Who Should Consider Booking This?
This circuit is a strong fit if you want a temple-focused itinerary but prefer traveling in a guided group with fixed logistics. It can also be ideal for families and senior travelers who want a planned route covering Varanasi, Gangasagar, Puri, and Baidyanath Dham without frequent independent travel connections.
Quick Tip Before You Go
Because this is a fixed-date train departure (March 2026) with limited berths by class, availability can change quickly. If you’re interested, shortlist your preferred cabin class early and keep your ID details ready for booking.
