Western Railway special train for Bhadarvi Poonam Fair runs Asarva–Khedbrahma till Oct 1
Synopsis
Western Railway has introduced a daily unreserved special train between Asarva and Khedbrahma for the Bhadarvi Poonam fair at the Ambika Mataji Temple — sanctioned after MPs from Sabarkantha and Ahmedabad West personally petitioned the Divisional Railway Manager. The 8-coach MEMU service runs from 19 September to 1 October, giving thousands of pilgrims a direct rail option through Naroda, Himmatnagar, and Vadali.
Key Takeaways
Western Railway launched a daily special train between Asarva and Khedbrahma from 19 September to 1 October 2026 .
The service is tied to the Bhadarvi Poonam fair at Ambika Mataji Temple (Mini Ambaji) , running 18–25 September in Sabarkantha, Gujarat .
09405 departs Asarva at 9:35 am ; return Train No.
09406 departs Khedbrahma at 3:35 pm .
Intermediate stops in both directions: Naroda , Himmatnagar , and Vadali .
The 8-coach MEMU rake carries all-unreserved second class coaches — no advance booking required.
The service was approved following a joint request by Sabarkantha MP Shobhana Baraiya and Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana .
The Ahmedabad Division of Western Railway has launched a daily unreserved special train between Asarva and Khedbrahma to ease travel for devotees heading to the Bhadarvi Poonam fair in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat. The service commenced on Saturday, 19 September 2026 and will operate until 1 October 2026, covering a 13-day period that spans the fair and beyond.
About the Bhadarvi Poonam Fair
The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is a seven-day religious festival held at the Ambika Mataji Temple — popularly known as Mini Ambaji — in Khedbrahma. This year's edition runs from 18 September to 25 September. Thousands of devotees travel annually to Khedbrahma during this period for religious observances, prayers, and darshan.
How the Special Train Service Works
The service operates in both directions every day. Train No. 09405, the Asarva–Khedbrahma Special, departs Asarva at 9:35 am and arrives at Khedbrahma at 12:10 pm. It halts at Naroda (9:43–9:45 am), Himmatnagar (10:58–11:00 am), and Vadali (11:40–11:42 am).
In the return direction, Train No. 09406, the Khedbrahma–Asarva Special, departs Khedbrahma at 3:35 pm and reaches Asarva at 6:10 pm, halting at Vadali (3:43–3:45 pm), Himmatnagar (4:23–4:25 pm), and Naroda (5:23–5:25 pm). The rake comprises eight MEMU coaches, all designated as unreserved second class.
Why the Service Was Introduced
The special train was approved following a representation made by Sabarkantha MP Shobhana Baraiya and Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana to Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash, who sanctioned additional rail connectivity for the festive period. The move reflects a broader practice by Indian Railways of augmenting regional capacity during major religious events, particularly in Gujarat, where temple fairs draw large pilgrim footfalls.
Key Information for Passengers
All coaches on both trains are unreserved, meaning passengers can board without advance booking. The service provides an additional public transport option alongside road travel, which can become congested during peak fair days. Passengers are advised to check current timings, stoppages, and any schedule updates on the official Western Railway website before travelling.
With the fair concluding on 25 September but the train running until 1 October, the extended window is designed to accommodate the return travel of a large number of pilgrims who may stay for extended observances.
Point of View
Which reflects an honest acknowledgement of lingering pilgrim traffic post-event. The unreserved format lowers the barrier to travel but will test crowd management at boarding points like Naroda and Himmatnagar on peak days.
NationPress
19 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bhadarvi Poonam fair in Khedbrahma?
The Bhadarvi Poonam fair is a seven-day religious festival held at the Ambika Mataji Temple, also known as Mini Ambaji, in Khedbrahma, Sabarkantha district, Gujarat. This year it runs from 18 September to 25 September 2026 and draws thousands of devotees for prayers and darshan.
What are the timings of the Asarva–Khedbrahma special train?
Train No. 09405 departs Asarva at 9:35 am and arrives at Khedbrahma at 12:10 pm, with stops at Naroda, Himmatnagar, and Vadali. The return Train No. 09406 leaves Khedbrahma at 3:35 pm and reaches Asarva at 6:10 pm, with the same intermediate stops.
How long will the Bhadarvi Poonam special train service run?
The service operates daily from 19 September 2026 to 1 October 2026 — a 13-day window that extends a week beyond the fair itself to accommodate return travellers.
Do passengers need to book tickets in advance for the special train?
No advance booking is required. All eight coaches on both trains are designated as unreserved second class, allowing passengers to board directly at the station.
Why was this special train introduced?
The train was sanctioned after Sabarkantha MP Shobhana Baraiya and Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana submitted a joint representation to Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved Prakash, requesting additional rail connectivity for pilgrims attending the Bhadarvi Poonam fair.
