In a major relief for pilgrims traveling to the sacred Shri Khatu Shyam Ji temple, the North Central Railway has announced the launch of a new weekly special train service connecting Prayagraj to Sikar. This service is specifically designed to accommodate the heavy passenger rush and provide seamless connectivity to the pilgrimage hub via the Govindpuri station in Kanpur.
- Train Number: 04161/04162 Prayagraj-Sikar-Prayagraj Weekly Special.
- Operational Period: August 10, 2026, to December 1, 2026.
- Total Trips: 17 trips in each direction.
- Coach Composition: 20 coaches, including 10 Sleeper, 7 General, 2 SLR/D, and 1 AC III-tier coach.
Schedule and Route Details
The 04161 Prayagraj-Sikar Special is scheduled to depart from Prayagraj every Monday at 5:10 PM, arriving in Sikar at 8:20 AM the following day. This service will run from August 10 to November 30, 2026. For the return journey, the 04162 Sikar-Prayagraj Special will depart from Sikar every Tuesday at 3:25 PM, starting August 11, and reach Prayagraj by 8:50 AM on Wednesday, with the last service on December 1, 2026.
The train will provide essential connectivity with stops at Bharwari, Fatehpur, Govindpuri, Phaphund, Etawah, Fatehabad, Agra Cantt, Bharatpur, Bandikui, Dausa, Khatipura, Jaipur, and Ringas. The inclusion of the Govindpuri stop in Kanpur is expected to be a significant convenience for local devotees planning their pilgrimage.
Connecting Pilgrimage and Tourism
Dr. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Prayagraj Division, highlighted that the primary objective of this service is to link the pilgrimage hub of Prayagraj directly with Ringas Junction, which serves as the gateway to the Shri Khatu Shyam temple. Beyond its religious significance, the route passes through several landmarks of historical and tourist interest.
Travelers can now easily access religious and tourist sites such as Kanpur’s Panki Dham, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the holy city of Mathura (Vrindavan), the vibrant city of Jaipur, and the historic Shekhawati Havelis in Sikar. This new train service not only eases the journey for devotees but also offers a convenient travel option for tourists traversing these major North Indian destinations.