Vinod Bhat
New Delhi: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, launched the coffee table book “Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train: Journey of a Thousand Shrines” at Rail Bhawan on 23 February 2026.
Shri Somanna said the book is a rich visual and narrative tribute to one of Indian Railways’ most impactful cultural and spiritual tourism initiatives. He said the book beautifully captures the spirit, vision, and collective effort behind a pioneering model that seamlessly integrates faith, culture, heritage, and modern rail infrastructure. He added, the remarkable initiative was conceptualised and driven by Dr. Anup Dayanand, IRTS (Retd.).
Shri Somanna said it is historic that under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme, more than 30,000 devotees from Karnataka have fulfilled their lifelong dream of visiting Kashi and other sacred destinations at an affordable cost.
The book vividly showcases the train as a “moving gallery of India,” detailing its thoughtfully designed coaches, onboard amenities, curated spiritual circuits, and end-to-end passenger experience. Special focus is given to how comfort, accessibility, and affordability were prioritised, particularly for senior citizens and first-time pilgrims through policy support and state subsidies. At its core, the book chronicles the conception, evolution, and successful execution of the Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train under the Bharat Gaurav Policy.
Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train
The Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train represents a flagship pilgrimage tourism initiative under Indian Railways’ Bharat Gaurav Policy. It repositions Railways from a mere transporter to an enabler of tourism, culture, and spiritual connectivity. The initiative aligns with national programmes such as “Dekho Apna Desh” and “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” fostering national integration through shared spiritual experiences.
Through themed journeys such as Kashi Darshan, Jyotirlinga Darshan, Shakti Peetha Yatra, Dakshina Yatra, Dwarka Yatra, and Puri Jagannath Yatra, the train connects Karnataka pilgrims to major spiritual destinations across India. The all-inclusive packages cover rail travel, vegetarian meals, accommodation, local transportation, tour guides, and sightseeing, ensuring a seamless and dignified experience.
As of the latest data, 46 trips have been successfully operated with 28,786 pilgrims travelling, generating approximately ₹25.57 crore in earnings for Indian Railways while advancing the larger objective of inclusive pilgrimage tourism.
