Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) together with Lanka Sportreizen, a leader in the leisure industry, recently launched the schedule of Buddhist Special Train (Mahaparinirvan Express).

This special luxury train takes Buddhist travellers from across the globe to most of important places related to The Enlightened One’s life and teachings.

Officials from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka and representatives from ICTRC were at the launch as the occasion was momentous for Buddhist community in Sri Lanka.

Kamal Kathiat, Jt. GM- Tourism, Marketing and Corporate Coordination at IRCTC made a comprehensive presentation at the event detailing diverse travel packages and services offered to the potential visitors taking the pilgrimage.

“These tour packages can be customized and tailored to cater to the specific interests and preferences of travellers and all of which will be handled by Lanka Sportreizen , our partner in Sri Lanka,” Kathiat said.

“Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train forms an important part in the facilities provided for the conduct of Buddhist pilgrimage tours covering almost all the destinations that relate to the Buddhist Trail,” he explained.

Elaborating on the important sites which will be covered by the Buddhist Circuit Train Kathiat said,” The luxury train will make its tour over 8 days. It starts in Delhi and concludes in Delhi. It will take you to Bodhgaya - where Prince Siddhartha, attained enlightenment under Bodhi tree and became Buddha "THE ENLIGHTENED ONE".

Nalanda- built on a hallowed site where the Buddha had often stayed.
Rajgir - The capital of the mighty Magadha Empire during the period of Lord Buddha's lifetime.Sarnath (Varanasi) where after enlightenment Lord Buddha preached His first sermon to his five disciples.
Kushinagar where Lord Buddha stayed last and entered into Mahaparinirwana.
Lumbini - The place located in Nepal, where Prince Siddhartha (Lord Buddha) was born.

Sravasti which is sacred to the Buddhists because it was here that Lord Buddha confounded his critics with a million fold manifestation of himself, seated on a thousand-petalled lotus, as fire and water emanated from his body.

After completing the tour of Holy Land of Buddha, this train will take you to Agra, a city of historic interests, is synonymous with Taj, the final resting place of Shah Jahan’s beloved Mumtaz Mahal. Situated on the banks of Yamuna, Taj Mahal is also known as the monument of love.

After completing the tour to Agra you have choice to visit different optional tours given under the heading “Extension Tour with Mahaparinirvana Train” or continue to Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern.
Buddhist circuit special train is comfortable and easy to travel. You will get sufficient time to visit temples and participate in prayer etc. and this journey will be comfortable because of very less road journey.

Our sincere effort is to promote Buddhist Pilgrimage by Buddhist Circuit Special Train to make tourists or pilgrims make a memorable visit,” he said.

Lanka Sportreizen owned and operated by Thilak Weerasinghe is coordinating these tours from Sri Lanka. According to Thilak, special packages could be arranged for families and groups on request.