Railways announce special trains on Howrah-Tarakeswar route for devotees | See timetable

Tarakeswar is gearing up for the annual Shravan Mela, which draws a massive influx of devotees from across West Bengal and beyond. Anticipating the usual heavy crowds, particularly on Route No. 12 from Sheoraphuli, which often becomes practically impassable due to the sheer volume of Kanwariyas, Indian Railways has announced special train services to facilitate the journey for those wishing to offer water to Mahadev.

The Shravani Mela, a significant religious event, primarily spans the months of July and August, attracting millions to Tarakeswar. The pilgrimage often results in significant congestion not only at Tarakeswar but also at Sheoraphuli, a key transit point for many devotees. To effectively manage this anticipated surge in footfall, Indian Railways will operate several special trains from Howrah, particularly focusing on Sundays and Mondays, which typically see the largest crowds.

The special train services for the Sraboni Mela are scheduled to commence from July 10, ensuring pilgrims have dedicated transportation options throughout the auspicious period. This strategic move aims to alleviate the pressure on existing public transport and road networks, providing a more comfortable and efficient travel experience for devotees.

Four pairs of Howrah - Tarakeswar - Howrah EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) special trains will be deployed during the Mela. These special trains will depart from Howrah at specific times: 12:30 AM, 4:15 AM, 12:40 PM, and 1:20 PM, catering to both early morning and afternoon pilgrim flows. Their respective arrival times at Tarakeswar will be 2:00 AM, 5:45 AM, 2:10 PM, and 2:50 PM.

For the return journey, special trains from Tarakeswar will depart at 2:30 AM, 10:55 AM, 11:35 PM, and 9:17 PM, offering flexibility for pilgrims completing their rituals. This comprehensive schedule is designed to accommodate the varying needs of devotees, allowing them to plan their pilgrimage effectively.

These special services will run on several key dates throughout July and August, specifically: July 10, July 13, July 14, July 20, July 21, July 27, July 28, July 29, August 3, August 4, August 9, August 10, August 11, August 15, August 16, August 17, and August 18. The provision of these dedicated trains is a welcome relief for thousands of devotees who undertake this annual pilgrimage.