Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday, June 8, 2026, flagged off a special train from Kurukshetra to the Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat, marking a new dedicated rail link between one of Haryana's most sacred cities and one of Hinduism's holiest shrines.

Context

Kurukshetra, the historic pilgrimage city in Haryana immortalised by the Mahabharata, has long been a hub for religious tourism in northern India. The city draws lakhs of pilgrims annually, particularly during solar eclipses and other auspicious occasions. The launch of a direct special train to Somnath strengthens its connection to the broader national pilgrimage circuit.

Somnath, located on the western coast of Gujarat, is the first of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas (divine abodes of Lord Shiva) and one of the most visited religious sites in India. Pilgrims from across the country travel to the shrine, and improving rail connectivity to it has been a longstanding demand from northern states.

Policy Backdrop

Indian Railways launched the Bharat Gaurav tourist train scheme in 2021 to promote religious and heritage tourism through dedicated rail circuits. The scheme allows state governments and private operators to run themed trains connecting pilgrimage and heritage destinations, reducing dependence on irregular or overbooked general services.

Central and state governments have steadily expanded dedicated rail services to Jyotirlinga sites and other religious destinations since the mid-2010s, positioning pilgrimage infrastructure as an integral part of both railway modernisation and tourism policy. The Kurukshetra–Somnath link fits squarely within this pattern, bridging northern and western India for religious travellers.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are pilgrims from Haryana and neighbouring states who previously had no direct rail option to Somnath and relied on multi-leg journeys. A dedicated service reduces travel time, cost, and the logistical burden on elderly and economically weaker pilgrims who form a significant share of Jyotirlinga visitors.

The tourism and hospitality sectors in both Kurukshetra and Somnath stand to gain from increased footfall. Rail-linked pilgrimage routes have historically generated measurable upticks in local accommodation, food, and transport revenues at both origin and destination points.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to whether the special service becomes a permanent scheduled train or remains a seasonal offering. Authorities may also assess demand for extending the route or adding stoppages at other significant pilgrimage towns en route to Gujarat.

The rollout could also encourage similar state-sponsored rail initiatives connecting Haryana's religious sites — including Pehowa and Thanesar — with other Jyotirlinga shrines across the country, as state governments increasingly compete to position themselves as facilitators of affordable pilgrimage travel.