Chhath Puja 2026: Indian Railways Unveils 7 Special Trains
Indian Railways announces 7 special trains and 100+ festival services for Chhath Puja 2026 to manage the passenger surge. Check routes here.
To manage the massive influx of passengers heading home for the Chhath Puja festival, which falls between November 12 and November 15, 2026, Indian Railways has announced a series of special train services. A total of seven one-way, reserved festival special trains have been introduced to cater to the most high-demand routes across the country.
Major Routes for Chhath Puja Special Trains
These seven specific services are strategically planned to connect major hubs to key destinations in Bihar and beyond. The routes include:
- Mumbai to Danapur and Gorakhpur
- Asansol to Udhna
- Gaya to Chennai
- New Delhi to Patna and Darbhanga
In addition to these seven specific trains, the Ministry of Railways is operating over 100 pairs of festival special trains. These services aim to link major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune to vital Bihar stations, including Danapur, Darbhanga, Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, and Patna.
Southern Railway Adds More Connectivity
Adding to the festive travel options, Southern Railway has introduced extra services as of November 10-11, 2026. These trains will connect Chennai and Podanur to several destinations in Bihar, such as Barauni, Raxaul, and Darbhanga. Most of these festival special services are scheduled to run throughout November, with some continuing operations until November 30, 2026.
Important Travel Information for Passengers
Railway officials, including the CPRO of East Central Railway, have provided several important guidelines for travelers during this period:
Fare and Train Types
- Special Fares: Passengers should note that these services operate under the 'Train on Special Fare' (TOSF) tariff, which may include extra surcharges.
- Service Mix: The fleet comprises a mix of Vande Bharat special services, reserved festival specials, and certain unreserved services.
Booking and Real-time Tracking
- Real-time Status: Due to potential operational changes, travelers are encouraged to verify real-time status via the National Train Enquiry System (NTES) or the official IRCTC website and mobile application.
- Clone Specials: In cases of extreme demand, officials may deploy 'Clone Special' trains with 12 to 24 hours' notice.
- Tatkal Quota: For last-minute bookings, the Tatkal quota opens at 10:00 AM for AC classes and 11:00 AM for non-AC classes one day prior to departure.
- Chart Vacancy: Passengers are also advised to check 'Chart Vacancy' maps 8 to 10 hours before departure to identify available seats.