Special ‘Aastha’ train carrying pilgrims departs from Katra Railway Station to Ayodhya

A special faith train carrying 1375 pilgrims departed from Katra Railway Station for Ayodhya Dham on Wednesday morning at 4:00 AM. The 22-coach train carries officials and workers of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) from Jammu and Kashmir.

The special ‘Aastha’ train will reach Ayodhya Dham on Thursday morning at 6:00 AM. It will depart from Ayodhya on Friday evening at 6:00 PM and reach Jammu on Saturday evening at 7:00 PM.

Karan Singh, VHP’s provincial (Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh) co-minister and train leader, said that all preparations for the Ayodhya Dham pilgrimage have been completed. He said that about 260 passengers from the Reasi district are on board the train, including about 100 from the Katra area.

The pilgrims will visit the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya and other religious sites. They will also participate in several religious and cultural programs organized by the VHP.

“Aastha” is the first special train to be operated from Jammu and Kashmir for Ayodhya Dham after the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. The train is expected to further boost religious tourism in Ayodhya.