Varanasi-Ayodhya Dham MEMU Special: Daily Trips for Festive Rush
To manage the heavy influx of passengers and devotees during the upcoming festive season, Northern Railway has officially launched a special unreserved MEMU train service between Varanasi and Ayodhya Dham. The service is designed to provide easy and affordable travel options for commuters moving between these two significant spiritual hubs.
According to Samarth Gupta, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Northern Railway Lucknow Division, the service commenced on October 18, 2026. It will operate on a daily basis through November 30, 2026, completing a total of 44 scheduled trips to accommodate the seasonal demand.
Train Timings and Route Details
The special service operates under two specific train numbers to facilitate travel in both directions:
- Train No. 04201 (Varanasi to Ayodhya Dham): This train departs from Varanasi Junction at 4:20 PM and is scheduled to arrive at Ayodhya Dham at 9:40 PM.
- Train No. 04202 (Ayodhya Dham to Varanasi): The return journey departs from Ayodhya Dham at 10:20 PM and reaches Varanasi Junction at 4:00 AM the following morning.
Coach Configuration and Scheduled Stops
The MEMU special is configured with 12 unreserved coaches, making it a convenient option for pilgrims and short-distance travelers. To ensure maximum accessibility across the region, the train will make 25 scheduled stops during its journey.
The train will stop at several key locations, including:
- Jaunpur Junction
- Shahganj Junction
- Akbarpur
- Zafarabad Junction
- Babatpur
- Shivpur
The complete list of stations served by this special service includes Shivpur, Birapatti, Babatpur, Pindrara Road Halt, Khalispur, Trilochan Mahadev, Jalalganj, Sarkoni, Zafarabad Junction, Jaunpur Junction, Mahagawan, Mihrawan, Manikala Halt, Khetasarai, Shahganj Junction, Bilwai, Tulsipur, Malipur, Zafar Ganj, Akbarpur, Katrahi, Gosaiganj, Ulnabhari, Bilhar Ghat, and Darshannagar before terminating at Ayodhya Dham Junction.