Khajuraho-Rundhi Festival Special Train Launched
To manage the heavy surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming holiday season, Indian Railways has announced the introduction of the Khajuraho-Rundhi Festival Special train. This new service is designed to provide much-needed relief to travelers during the busy festive period.
The special service is scheduled to operate from October 15 to November 17, 2026, completing a total of 15 trips in each direction. This initiative is part of a larger strategy by the North Central Railway (NCR) to deploy over 1,000 special train trips between October 1 and November 30, 2026. Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer for the North Central Railway, mentioned that these services are categorized as 'Trains on Demand' (TODs) and may be expanded depending on passenger needs.
Train Composition and Route Details
The Khajuraho-Rundhi Festival Special will feature a total of 20 ICF coaches. The composition includes five sleeper class coaches and 12 general category coaches to accommodate various types of travelers.
As the train traverses its route, it will provide scheduled halts at several key stations, including:
- Dholpur
- Morena
- Gwalior
- Datia
- Jhansi
- Agra Cantt
- Mathura
Operational Schedule and Timings
Passengers can plan their journeys based on the following operational timings:
- Khajuraho to Rundhi: The train is set to depart from Khajuraho at 5:00 PM and is expected to arrive at Rundhi at 6:00 AM the following day.
- Rundhi to Khajuraho: For the return journey, the train will depart Rundhi at 6:45 PM and arrive back in Khajuraho at 6:05 AM the next morning.
These services are part of a broader deployment of 102 special trains specifically organized by Indian Railways to cater to the Dussehra and Diwali festivities.
How to Book Tickets
Ticket bookings for these festive services officially commenced on September 27, 2026. Passengers are encouraged to book their seats through the following official channels:
- The official IRCTC website
- Computerized reservation centers
- The RailOne mobile application
To ensure a smooth journey, travelers are advised to monitor the NTES portal or use the RailOne app to check real-time updates and verify specific halt timings before their departure.