IRCTC Bharat Gaurav train to Nepal for Pashupatinath Yatra from Indore June 12
Synopsis
For the first time, a Bharat Gaurav tourist train is crossing India's borders — departing Indore on 12 June for a 10-day Pashupatinath pilgrimage across Nepal. With 10 boarding points in Madhya Pradesh and fares starting at ₹62,710, IRCTC is opening a new chapter in rail-based spiritual tourism.
Key Takeaways
IRCTC has launched the Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra under the Bharat Gaurav scheme — the first Bharat Gaurav train to operate outside India.
The train departs from Indore on 12 June 2025 for a nine-night, 10-day journey.
Key destinations include Pashupatinath Temple (Kathmandu) , Pokhara , Chitwan National Park , and Manakamana Temple .
Fares start at ₹62,710 (Third AC), rising to ₹76,550 (Second AC) and ₹90,400 (First AC) per person.
Passengers can board at 10 stations across Madhya Pradesh, including Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, and Jabalpur.
The package includes hotel stays, meals, local transport, sightseeing, travel insurance, and tour escorts.
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched a special Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra under its Bharat Gaurav scheme, with a Deluxe AC tourist train departing from Indore on 12 June 2025. Notably, this marks the first time a Bharat Gaurav tourist train has been operated for passengers travelling outside India, making it a landmark offering for pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring regions.
Key Destinations Covered
The nine-night, 10-day itinerary spans some of Nepal's most revered and scenic locations. Pilgrims will visit the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu — one of Hinduism's holiest shrines — along with Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and the Manakamana Temple. The package includes a ropeway ride at Manakamana and a Jeep Safari at Chitwan, both arranged by IRCTC.
Boarding Points Across Madhya Pradesh
Passengers can board the train at 10 stations across the state: Indore, Ujjain, Shujalpur, Sehore, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal), Itarsi, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, and Satna. The wide boarding network is designed to make the yatra accessible to pilgrims spread across the state.
Train Configuration and Onboard Facilities
Rahul Holkar, Executive Tourism (Indore), confirmed the train will comprise 14 coaches across three accommodation categories — First AC, Second AC, and Third AC. Two dedicated restaurant coaches will provide dining facilities throughout the journey. The package also covers five nights of accommodation in three-star hotels in Nepal, with local sightseeing via AC buses.
Fares and What Is Included
IRCTC has fixed category-wise fares for the yatra. The Third AC Comfort category is priced at ₹62,710 per person, the Second AC Deluxe at ₹76,550 per person, and the First AC Superior at ₹90,400 per person. The all-inclusive package covers rail travel, onboard and offboard meals, hotel accommodation, local transportation, sightseeing, tour escorts, travel insurance, and security and housekeeping services.
Bookings and Important Clarification
IRCTC officials clarified that the Nepal Darshan Yatra is a guided tourist excursion and should not be treated as a conventional international tour package. Bookings are available through IRCTC's official website and authorised offices. This comes amid growing demand for spiritual tourism circuits connecting India and Nepal, a route that has historically drawn millions of Hindu pilgrims annually.
Point of View
So routing it across an international border is a meaningful operational shift — and a signal that IRCTC sees cross-border spiritual tourism as a viable, scalable product. Nepal's Pashupatinath corridor is a logical first choice given its deep cultural resonance with India's Hindu heartland. The real question is execution: a guided excursion that must coordinate rail, road, hotels, and border formalities across two countries leaves little margin for error. If IRCTC delivers smoothly, this could become a template for similar circuits to Bhutan or Sri Lanka. If it stumbles, it risks dampening enthusiasm for an otherwise promising category.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IRCTC Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra?
It is a nine-night, 10-day guided pilgrimage tour to Nepal operated by IRCTC under the Bharat Gaurav scheme, departing from Indore on 12 June 2025. It is the first Bharat Gaurav tourist train to run outside India, covering Pashupatinath Temple, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Manakamana Temple.
What are the fares for the IRCTC Nepal Yatra train?
IRCTC has set fares at ₹62,710 per person for Third AC Comfort, ₹76,550 for Second AC Deluxe, and ₹90,400 for First AC Superior. All categories include rail travel, meals, hotel accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, travel insurance, and tour escorts.
From which stations can passengers board the Nepal Yatra train?
The train has 10 boarding points across Madhya Pradesh: Indore, Ujjain, Shujalpur, Sehore, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal), Itarsi, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, and Satna.
How can I book the IRCTC Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra?
Bookings are available through IRCTC's official website and its authorised offices. IRCTC has clarified that the yatra is a guided tourist excursion and should not be treated as a conventional international tour package.
What is the Bharat Gaurav train scheme?
The Bharat Gaurav scheme allows IRCTC and private operators to run theme-based tourist trains on Indian Railways infrastructure, typically focused on pilgrimage and heritage circuits. The Nepal Darshan Yatra is the first instance of the scheme being extended to a destination outside India.
