Special Gift for Shravani Mela: East Central Railway to Run Special Train Between Raxaul and Deoghar, Bringing Great Relief to Devotees
During the holy month of Sawan and the historic Shravani Mela, very comforting and encouraging news has emerged for Shiva devotees (Kanwrias) travelling to Baba Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar). Keeping in mind the massive rush of devotees coming from every corner of the country and their smooth travel, East Central Railway has taken a major step. The railway administration has decided to operate a pair of special trains between Raxaul and Deoghar for the convenience of passengers.
The running of this special train will relieve thousands of devotees travelling from Champaran, Sitamarhi, and other surrounding districts of the troubles they face during transit. Let us examine in detail the operation of this special train, its route, schedule, facilities, and the arrangements made by the railways during the Shravani Mela.
Importance of Shravani Mela and Travel Challenges
During the month of Sawan, Shiva devotees from all over the world flock to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand. Lakhs of devotees fill holy water from the Uttartoya Ganga in Sultanganj and reach Deoghar either on foot or via various vehicles to offer prayers (Jalabhishek) to Lord Shiva.
Pressure of Heavy Crowds: Huge crowds swamp trains and roads during this period. Due to long waiting lists in regular trains and a scramble for seats, devotees face severe difficulties.
Special Initiative by Railways: To eliminate this problem for devotees and make their journey smooth, safe, and comfortable, East Central Railway has planned to operate special trains, under which the Raxaul-Deoghar special train has been announced.
Train Route and Operational Details
This special train running between Raxaul and Deoghar will pass through several important stations, providing direct benefits to passengers from other districts along the route.
Main Route and Stoppages: This train will depart from Raxaul and pass through various key stations such as Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Hajipur, Barauni, and Kiul or other designated routes to reach Deoghar (although the final schedule and official stoppages can be obtained through the railway inquiry center or the NTES app).
Trips and Duration: Keeping passenger demand in mind during the Shravani Mela period, the trips of this special train have been scheduled so that devotees do not face any inconvenience in transit throughout the month of Sawan.
Special Facilities and Arrangements for Passengers
Special care is taken regarding passenger safety and convenience in Shravani Mela special trains. The railway administration is ensuring the following arrangements on this route:
Security Forces (RPF/GRP): Additional security forces are deployed on trains and at stations to control crowds and maintain law and order. Special arrangements are made for the safety of female passengers.
Passenger Help Desks: Help desks are set up at stations where devotees can easily obtain information about train arrival and departure timings, ticket counters, and routes.
Cleanliness and Drinking Water: Instructions have been issued to ensure regular cleaning on Mela special trains and adequate drinking water arrangements at stations so that Kanwrias undertaking long journeys do not face distress.
Social and Economic Benefits of This Decision
The operation of the Raxaul-Deoghar special train provides several benefits not only from a religious perspective but also from regional development:
Smooth and Affordable Travel: Compared to road travel, train travel is safer, more comfortable, and more affordable. Running a special train will reduce the scramble for tickets.
Boost to Trade and Tourism: Smoother travel along this route also boosts local trade and tourism, as a large number of devotees travel from North Bihar to Jharkhand.
The operation of a special train between Raxaul and Deoghar on the occasion of Shravani Mela by East Central Railway is a commendable and public-welfare step. This train will not only ease the journey of devotees but also prove helpful in seamlessly completing their journey of faith. This railway initiative is nothing short of a boon for Shiva devotees, allowing them to pay their respects at the court of Baba Baidyanath without any hassle.
