Vande Bharat Express first ran earlier this year in February, on the New Delhi-Varanasi route. The new train Delhi Katra one on this route, are better upgraded.
Yaa Devi Sarva-Bhutessu Shraddhaa-Ruupenna Samsthitaa |
Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namas-Tasyai Namo Namah ||
To the Devi, who, in all beings is abiding in the form of faith, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations to her, salutations again and again.
Talking of faith and feminine power in the wake of Navratri is a bit too coincidental, isn’t it? But there’s something more coincidental, something that served as a gift of faith this festive season.
To all those who believe in the power of Devi, Mata, Mata Rani, Vaishno Devi (and most of us do), and are doting devotees of she who blesses and brings about miracles, a surprise from Indian Railways arrived on track this October!
Navratri is a time when most devotees head to Vaishno Devi in Jammu, and most justifiably so. The communal and shared sense of belief is strongest during this time, and the climate and natural disposition, highly pleasant.
From little children to senior citizens, the surge of people who ascend Vaishno Devi with a stride of spirit, the view of beautiful snow-clad mountains, the dew-drops of devotion and constantly energetic and pushing calls – “ab tum bhi bolo, zor se bolo, jai mata di!” have their minds and hearts set with pride and faith, all reaching a satiation when they finally get mata rani ke darshan.
It’s the entire journey that fills you up with an awe-inspiring faith in the divine. And to add the festive fervor, Indian Railways announced an unbelievably convenient, express and comfortable route to people from New Delhi, all the way to the new Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station.
Katra is the base town from where the journey to Vaishno Devi commences. And this route from New Delhi to Katra, which would usually take a minimum of 12 hours, can now be completed in a span of merely 8 hours!
Train #22439, Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express departs from New Delhi Railway Station at 06:00 hrs, early in the morning and arrives at Katra at 14:00 hrs with an ultra-fast, highly comfortable and one-of-a-kind journey.
With 200Journeys, I set out for this unique experience a few days after it was launched on October 5 th this year. The bookings were full in merely two days! Aur kyun na ho, 700 km ki doori yeh train bas 8 ghante mein cover jo kar leti hai – everything included.
Yes, you read that right. Everything included. With a total of 16 coaches consisting of 14 chair cars and 2 executive coaches, the entire train is a Make in India, AC premium transport, complete with an aerodynamic appearance, a Cattle Guard and well-protected windows. The automatic doors take a while to adjust to, but you enter a vehicle that’s spacious, well-lit and cozy.
The ticket cost for the Chair Car is INR 1,600 and INR 3000 for Executive Coaches. This is inclusive of breakfast, snacks and lunch. You also get newspapers and meet the friendly and highly helpful and dedicated railway staff.
The train runs every day, except for Tuesdays, and departs from Katra at 15:00 hrs, reaching New Delhi again by around 23:00 hrs.
There are three stops in between – Ambala Cantonment Junction, Ludhiana Junction, and Jammu Tawi. It may be a slightly wobbly ride, but the max. speed this train travels at is 150 km/hr.
The new trains on this route, are better upgraded. I had booked a seat in the Executive Coach, and trust me, the experience was most definitely a first-of-its-kind in our country.
With two well-cushioned and ergonomic seats on either side of the aisle, the fold down tables were large, the leg space optimal, and the food – fulfilling and delicious.
We were served cornflakes prior to a scrumptious breakfast just before the train reached Ambala Cantonment Junction around 08:10 hrs.
Also read : I did India's longest train journey solo
The breakfast was a spread of poha, 2 cutlets, veg. sandwich, curd, a muffin, and an option of tea/coffee/apple juice. A thing to note here is, the food served is entirely vegetarian, as it travels to the holy hill-top shrine.
We reached Ludhiana Junction at 09:30 hrs, where the loco-pilot and guard, both changed. The next stop was the second last one – Jammu Tawi, at 12:30 hrs.
I took a little tour of the length of this beautiful train and found some truly interesting points – a complete AC cabin for the loco-pilots, 180 degree rotating seats – you could turn them to face the wide windows for an immersive view of the Shivalik ranges outside - uncompromising on leg space, and a number of senior citizens with an expression of calm comfort on their faces.
Truly, for the aged and devoted, this train is a goddess-send. We were served a lunch of Dal, Rice, Chapati, Paneer in gravy and mixed veg. sabzi, along with curd just after crossing Jammu Tawi at 12:30 hrs.
And before we knew it, our prayers were answered even before they could be chanted! We reached our destination a few minutes early – around 13:56 hrs on the sunlit, pleasantly cool and surrounded by positive vibes, platform no. 1 of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station.
It has never been this easy and luxurious to reach Katra but this Navratri sure brought in a lot of good-will, prosperity and development across our country’s routes.
Take this digital journey with me in a more visual and immersive experience with this video.
Until the next time, keep reading, keep watching, keep exploring and keep journeying with 200Journeys!