18 Trains Get Temporary Stoppage at Maihar for Navratri
In a significant move to assist devotees visiting the Maa Sharda temple, Indian Railways has introduced special travel arrangements at Maihar station for the Shardiya Navratri festival. To facilitate the thousands of pilgrims traveling during this auspicious period, West Central Railway has officially announced temporary halts for several mail and express trains.
Extended Halts for Devotees
To accommodate the heavy influx of pilgrims, approximately 18 mail and express trains will be provided with a five-minute temporary stoppage at Maihar station. While official announcements highlight 18 trains, some reports suggest that the number could be as high as 30 trains, representing roughly 15 pairs of services.
This extended halt is specifically intended to assist elderly passengers and young children, providing them with more time to board or alight safely. According to CPRO Sumit Kumar, the five-minute duration is a departure from the standard two-minute halt usually provided at such stations, ensuring a smoother experience for the traveling public.
Easing the Journey for Pilgrims
The initiative aims to solve a major logistical challenge for devotees. Previously, many pilgrims were forced to disembark at larger nearby stations like Satna or Katni and then seek alternative local transportation to reach the temple. By providing direct access to Maihar, the railway intends to spare passengers from this inconvenience.
The pilgrims benefiting from these arrangements are traveling from various parts of the country, including:
- Maharashtra
- Gujarat
- Uttar Pradesh
- Bihar
- Jharkhand
Important Schedule Details
The Navratri festival commenced on October 11, 2026, and is expected to conclude with Mahanavami on October 19, followed by Vijayadashami on October 20. These temporary railway arrangements became effective around October 10 or 11, 2026. While the primary schedule is expected to last until October 22, 2026, some sources indicate that certain services may continue these stoppages until October 26, 2026.
Special Arrangements at Vindhyachal
In addition to the services at Maihar, the railway has also implemented a two-minute temporary stoppage for specific trains at Vindhyachal station. This arrangement is designed to support devotees visiting the Vindhyachal temple and will remain in effect from October 11 through October 26, 2026.