PRESS RELEASE

IRCTC LAUNCHES SHRI RAMAYANA YATRA EXPRESS FROM MADURAI

August 23, 2018: IRCTC is operating a Bharat Darshan tourist train originating from Madurai covering the destinations associated with the famous Indian epic Ramayana in the name of "Shri Ramayana Yatra Express".

Shri Ramayana Yatra Express will depart from Madurai Railway station on 14th November, 2018. The train will cover some of the key destinations associated with the life of Lord Rama in a 15 day all inclusive tour package spread across India and Janakpur in Nepal. The package priced at Rs. 15,810/- per person will include all meals, accommodation in dharmashalas for night stay/wash and change facilities, all train & road transfers, sight-seeing arrangements at destinations and the services of a dedicated IRCTC tour manager for the entire tour.

The Shri Ramayana Yatra Express departing from Madurai will have several boarding stations enroute viz Dindigul, Karur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpet, Katpadi, Chennai Central and Renigunta with the first stop over being at Hospet to visit the Ramayana sites of Kishkindha Kandam. Further the train will proceed to Nasik Road for visiting the temples at Panchavati (Aranya Kandam). The next destination is Chitrakoot Dham (Ayodhya Kandam) followed by Darbhanga (Bala Kandam), Sita Marhi, Janakpur (Nepal), Ayodhya & Nandigram (Ayodhya Kandam), Allahabad & Shringvernpur (Aranya Kandam) and Rameshwaram.

The Sri Lanka leg of the Ramayana Yatra has been planned prior to the train journey with departure from Chennai on 2nd November, 2018. It is an optional tour which has been programmed by flight on a 5 Nights/6 Days itinerary priced at Rs. 41,000/- per person on twin sharing. The group tour package includes onward/return air fare, accommodation in 3

star category equivalent hotels, AC road transfers, all meals, sightseeing, VISA, travel insurance and all applicable taxes. One English speaking local guide will receive the group at Colombo Airport and accompany for the entire tour of Sri Lanka. The Ramayana sites covered are Negombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya & Colombo. In addition, the temple at Kataragama is also being covered.

The online booking of both the packages are available on IRCTC's website www.irctctourism.com. The packages may also be booked from the 27 Tourist Facilitation Centers of IRCTC spread across the country......