Many of India's great pilgrimage towns, from Varanasi to Madurai, are served directly by Indian Railways. Train travel is often the most comfortable way to cover long distances between them.
Booking
Reserved tickets are sold through IRCTC, the official online booking platform of Indian Railways, as well as at station reservation counters. Popular routes fill quickly around festivals, so book as early as the reservation window allows.
Choosing a class
Air-conditioned sleeper classes offer more privacy and comfort on overnight journeys, while non-air-conditioned sleeper class is more economical. For daytime journeys, chair-car seating is common on faster trains.
The last stretch
Some temples lie some distance from the nearest station. Check how you will complete the journey, by taxi, bus or auto-rickshaw, before you arrive.
