Special Trains and Temporary Halts Announced for Maha Magha Festival at Tirunavaya

Tirunavaya: In view of the heavy rush of pilgrims attending the Maha Magha Festival on the banks of the Bharathapuzha, Indian Railways has announced special train services and temporary stoppages at key stations to ensure smooth and convenient travel for devotees.

To cater to pilgrims travelling from northern India, special trains will be operated from Varanasi and Yog Nagari Rishikesh to Ernakulam during the festival period. In addition, considering the increased passenger volume, Kuttippuram railway station has been granted temporary halts for select regular train services.

The Varanasi–Ernakulam Special (04358) will depart from Varanasi Junction on January 30 at 4:30 pm, passing through Jabalpur, Nagpur, Tiruppur and Coimbatore before reaching Palakkad at 5:43 pm, Thrissur at 7:03 pm, and Aluva at 8:23 pm, and terminating at Ernakulam Junction at 10:00 pm. The return service will depart from Ernakulam on February 3 at 8:00 pm.

The Yog Nagari Rishikesh–Ernakulam Special will leave Yog Nagari Rishikesh on January 30 at 7:00 am and reach Mangaluru at 12:50 pm on February 1. The train will halt at Kannur (2:23 pm), Kozhikode (5:08 pm), Tirur (5:44 pm), Kuttippuram (6:00 pm) and Shoranur (6:30 pm) before arriving at Ernakulam at 11:30 pm. The return journey will commence from Ernakulam on February 3 at 11:00 pm, with arrival at Kuttippuram at 2:45 am.

For the convenience of festival-goers, Southern Railway has also approved temporary stops at Kuttippuram station for several regular services. The Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Antyodaya Express (16355) will halt at Kuttippuram on January 30, the Thiruvananthapuram Central Jan Shatabdi Express (12081) on January 31, and the Mangaluru Central Superfast Express (12685) on January 30 and 31.

Railway officials said the special services and temporary halts are expected to significantly ease travel for pilgrims attending the Maha Magha Festival at Tirunavaya.