New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna launched a coffee table book titled “Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train: Journey of a Thousand Shrines” at Rail Bhawan on February 23.
The book documents the conception and execution of the Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train under the Bharat Gaurav Policy of Indian Railways. Somanna described it as a rich visual and narrative tribute to one of the Railways’ most impactful cultural and spiritual tourism initiatives.
He said the publication captures the vision and collective effort behind a model that integrates faith, culture, heritage and modern rail infrastructure. He added that Dr. Anup Dayanand, IRTS (Retd.), conceptualised and drove the initiative.
The Minister noted that under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme, more than 30,000 devotees from Karnataka fulfilled their aspiration to visit Kashi and other sacred destinations at an affordable cost.
Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train expands pilgrimage tourism
The Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train operates as a flagship initiative under Indian Railways’ Bharat Gaurav Policy. It repositions the Railways as an enabler of tourism and spiritual connectivity rather than merely a transporter.
The themed journeys include Kashi Darshan, Jyotirlinga Darshan, Shakti Peetha Yatra, Dakshina Yatra, Dwarka Yatra and Puri Jagannath Yatra. The all-inclusive packages provide rail travel, vegetarian meals, accommodation, local transport, tour guides and sightseeing.
The book highlights how planners prioritised comfort, accessibility and affordability, especially for senior citizens and first-time pilgrims. It also outlines the role of policy support and state subsidies in expanding participation.
According to official data, 46 trips have been operated so far, with 28,786 pilgrims travelling on the train. The initiative generated approximately ₹25.57 crore in earnings for Indian Railways while promoting inclusive pilgrimage tourism.
ಭಾರತೀಯ ರೈಲ್ವೆಯ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಮತ್ತು ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ ಪ್ರವಾಸೋದ್ಯದ ಉಪಕ್ರಮವನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮೆದುರು ಸವಿಸ್ತಾರವಾಗಿ ತೆರೆದಿಡುವ “Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train Journey of a Thousand Shrines” ಎಂಬ ಕಾಫಿ ಟೇಬಲ್ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಲಾಯಿತು.
ಇದು ಕೇವಲ ಒಂದು ರೈಲು ಸೇವೆಯ ದಾಖಲೆಯಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಬದಲಿಗೆ ನಂಬಿಕೆ, ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ,… pic.twitter.com/y8n8kc5Ar5
— V. Somanna (@VSOMANNA_BJP) February 23, 2026
