See the temples of Tamilnadu
Ram Sethu Express to tour places of worship
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @svs037
If you are a person with a devout bent of mind, then it is time to go on a tour of temples across Tamilnadu. Thanks to Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) visiting the places of worship across Tamilnadu has become possible.
IRCTC will run a special train Ram Sethu Express over Southern Railway which will take the devotees to all temples over Tamilnadu. Titled as ‘Ram Sethu Express-Tamilnadu Temple Tour’ will be a source of happy news for devotees.
According to sources, Ram Sethu Express will leave Tambaram railway station in Chennai on 28 February at 12:15 am and return on 3 March at 10:30 pm after touring the holy places in Tamilnadu. Passengers can board the train at Chengalpet (12:50 to 12:55 am), Tindivanam (1:40 to 1:45 am), Villupuram (2:50 to 2:55 am) and Vridhachalam (3:40 to 3:45 am) also on 28 February.
The package is for a duration of three nights and four days and will cover 15 temples of Tamilnadu. The holy shrines covered by this special train are
Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, samayapuram Mariamman, Jambukeswarar’ Thiruvanaikaval in Trichy. In Rameswaram,
Ramanathaswamy, holy bath in Sea and in 21 Teerth Kund), In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman and Sundareshwarar temples, In Thanjavur, Brahadeeswara Temple – UNESCO
world Heritage site) and in Kumbakonam, Navagraha temples – Thingalur – House of chandran, Thirunallar – House of Saturn, Alangudi – House of Guru, Kanjanoor – House of sukran, Thirunageswaram – House of Rahu, Aadudurai – House of Sooriyan, Keelaperum Pallam – House of Kethu, Thiruvenkadu – House of Budhan and Vaitheeswaran – House of Mars. The above tour programmed also coincides with
the Rahu and Ketu transit which is considered to be signihcant astrological events as they both spend a long period of 18 months in a particular zodiac sign.
The tour will be an all-inclusive tour comprising of sleeper train journey accommodation at halls, dharamsalas, NAC Road transfers for sightseeing, all meals – vegetarian, service of tour escorts, and security staff on train. The package cost for the four days is Rs 4885 per person.
For details and bookings, log on to IRCTC tourism portal www.irctctourism.com and for queries, bookings contact Tourism Information Centre at 9003140681/680.