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All you need to know about the new railway time table

Indian Railway authorities recently released the railway time table for the year 2018-19 and if you like to know more about this new all train time table please continue reading below.

 First of all, there is a clear demarcation in the between the rush and lean travel seasons. The lean season starts from February 1 to March 31 as well as from August 1 to August 31. The peak season starts from April 1 to July 31 and from September 1 to January 31. 

 The fare of trains will be higher during the peak seasons; however, AC first and AC 2 tier classes in the most popular trains will have same fares all through the year. 

 Season tickets that are issued for a distance over 150 KM is going to be issued for only those sections where this facility was already in existence before April 1, 1951.

Now let’s see the list of new trains that have been introduced in this new Indian train time table.

 Humsafar Express trains which are now 23 in number and the new trains like Tejas Express and Uday Express have all been put under the new TAG (trains at a glance).

  Among the newly introduced trains Antyodaya Express is most promising because it is a superfast train with only unreserved coaches! Most of such trains offer overnight journeys and run between stations like Darbhanga – Jalandhar, Howrah-Ernakulam, Bandra terminusGorakhpur, Santragachi-Chennai. These trains come with more comfortable seats and facilities like bio-toilets and Aquaguard for drinking water. 

 Another superfast train introduced is the Tejas Express. At present there are two pairs; one running between New Delhi and Chandigarh and another pair running between Lucknow and New Delhi. Chandigarh New Delhi train is going to run all days of the week (accept Wednesday), whereas the Lucknow to New Delhi train is going to run on 5 days every week (with Sunday and Thursday being the off days). As per the railway time table the train is going to leave New Delhi at 6:30 AM and reach Chandigarh at 9:30 AM. Whereas the return journey starts at 17: 55 PM from Chandigarh and reaches Delhi at 20: 55 PM of the same day. The Lucknow Tejas Express starts from Lucknow Junction at 6:50 AM and reaches New Delhi by 1:35 PM on the same day. The return journey, as per Indian train time table, starts at 3:35 PM. and you will be in Lucknow by 10 PM on the same day.

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5 Day holiday itinerary for Delhi and Agra

Do you have a leave of just 5 days and thinking where to visit? Visiting the all-time favourite Delhi and Agra would be a good option. If you are interested to know how to plan such a trip, here is a basic itinerary you can follow. Now for your first destination, first check seat availability in train. If you see it is not promising, go for flights. If you are from North India, look at bus services from your town to Delhi after train seat availability search yields poor results.

Day-1 

If you reach in the morning, rest a bit and then leave your hotel after an early lunch. Go to your nearest metro station and buy a ticket to Jor Bagh. Exit through Gate no. 2 for your first destination, Lodhi Gardens. This historical Garden is not only beautiful to walk and admire, but it also has tombs of Sikandar Lodi and Muhamad Shah. Once you have seen the garden, you can catch an auto or if you are up to walking, walk straight on Janpath road to Janpath market. From there, you can walk or take a transport to India Gate.

Day-2 

On your full day in Delhi, book a ticket on the hop-on-hop-off (which you can book online) bus and take tour through the city. The tours start at 8:30 AM and ends at 6 PM. For dinner drop by at Paranthe Wala Gali in Old Delhi. 

Day-3

 Leave early morning and catch a train to Agra. Now there are 131 trains between Delhi and Agra, but make sure you make an advance train enquiry for seat availability before visiting Agra. The best train on this route is the Taj Express which leaves at 7:45 AM and reaches Agra by 9:40 AM. After checking in, go to see the main attraction - Taj Mahal. Now ASI have an online portal through which you choose your viewing time and book tickets online! After lunch, visit Agra Fort. Watch the sunset from there before returning to your hotel.

Day-4

 Keep the next morning for a trip to Fatehpur Sikri and visiting the tomb of Salim Chisti. You can hire a car or use government buses for the trip. You can also take the half-day UP tourism tour which includes everything, even tour guide charges. It returns by 4 PM, so you have evening to shop and eat in Agra.

Day-5 

You can take one of the 4 luxury AC buses from UPSRTC that go via Yamuna Expressway and reach Delhi in 4 hours, depending on your return journey. They start at 7 AM. Or you may make an advance train seat availability search for trains between Delhi and Agra.    

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5 Longest distance trains to Ahmedabad

Indian railway has the largest railway network in the world, with its 115000 KM long of railway track. Indian railway network also comprises of 7500 stations and has 65000 routes spanning all over the country. There are some routes along this network that take you on a tour through multiple states. But, as a common passenger you might not have checked the route distance before boarding a train. If you make a train enquiry between two station and enquire about the route distance of your train, you might be startled by the answer in most cases. Just try making one such enquiry about any train between important stations just to quench your curiosity!

Ahmedabad, situated in the state of Gujarat, is an important station on the Western railway network. And today we would tell you about the 5 longest distance trains that visit Ahmedabad. And we hope this little finding will arouse your curiosity to make a different type of Indian railway enquiry between two station live the next time!

 Rameswaram – Okha Express (16733): This is the longest distance train to Ahmedabad and covers a distance of 3154 KM from Rameswaram to Okha. It starts at Rameswaram station every Friday at 10PM and reaches Okha at 1:50 PM on the fourth day taking a little more than 52 hours for its end-to-end journey. However, the train reaches Ahmedabad at 2:20 AM on the fourth day after covering a distance of 2738 KM.

  Kamakhya- Gandhidham Express (15668): This is the second longest distance train and covers a distance of 3161 KM from Kamakhya to Gandhidham. Starting from Kamakhya at 11 AM on every Wednesday, it reaches Gandhidham at 2:40 PM on the fourth day. It reaches Ahmedabad at 6:15 PM after traversing a total distance of 2736 KM.

 Guwahati-Okha Dwarka Express (15636): Third entry into the list is Dwarka Express that covers a distance of 3237 KM. You can ask the Indian railway enquiry between two station live and take the various details of the train. It runs on every Monday and reaches Ahmedabad covering a distance of 2719 KM. 

 Rameswaram-Okha Express (16733): This train covers a distance of 3154 KM and travels from Rameswaram to Okha. If you make train enquiry between two station about the distance covered between Rameswaram and Ahmedabad, you will learn that the total distance is 2684 KM and it takes nearly 52 hours for the train to complete this trip.

 Kolkata-Ahmedabad KOAA ADI Express (19414): This is popular train travels from Kolkata to Ahmedabad. If you make Indian railway enquiry between two station live to know the total distance covered by the train and time taken to travel the distance, you will come to know that it covers a distance of 2678 KM and takes 54hours to complete its journey.

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Which are the top routes for Allahabad to Howrah Vibhuti Express?

Allahabad-Howrah Vibhuti Express (with train no. 12334) is a popular train among travelers visiting Allahabad from Kolkata. The tickets for this train have a very high demand among the passengers in this route and that is why it is essential that an Indian railways PNR status check online is performed before booking tickets in this train. If you are late (in regards to the advance booking timeline of 120 days) then getting a confirmed ticket in this train could be a tough ask. You after all do not want to get caught in the quagmire of waitlist ticket and check PNR status every day to decide on the fate of your travel. This is why we present you a list of the popular routes of this train. The logic being: more popular a route is, earlier its confirmed tickets get finished. So, you can opt for a nearby station that is not included in the below list and still get confirmed tickets in the Vibhuti Express.

 Varanasi to Howrah: Bongs and Varanasi have a special bonding. The city holds a large population of Bengalis and there are many families in West Bengal who have their relatives staying in Varanasi. So, logically the most popular route for Vibhuti Express is between Varanasi to Howrah. The train arrives at Varanasi at 6 PM and reaches Howrah at 7:30 AM the next day. Since the arrival time of this train to Kolkata is very convenient, most of the passengers prefer the Vibhuti Express. So, automatically the tickets to Howrah run out at a fast rate. So, opt for another station nearby so that when you check PNR status on mobile is shows a CNF status. 

 Patna to Howrah: Patna is the capital of Bihar and is the second largest city in eastern India, after Kolkata. Since the distance between Kolkata and Patna is just 593 KM many people travel between these two important cities almost every day. The train takes less than 9 hours to reach Howrah from Patna. Thus, if you check PNR status on mobile with a waitlisted ticket in this route, chances are that the ticket will not be confirmed at the point of boarding.

 Allahabad to Howrah: Unlike many other trains, the end-to-end journey of this train is not the most popular route, it rather features only in the third position. So, if you carry an Indian railways PNR status check online, for this route, with your WL ticket chances of confirmation (at the time of boarding) will remain moderate.

  Arrah to Howrah: Arrah is an important city in Bihar and it is the fourth most popular travel route for the train.

A quick glance through the Vibhuti Express time table will tell you that you can always alter the boarding or destination stations to have a better chance of seeing “CNF” status when you check PNR status on mobile.

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How quick did train tickets for Kolkata run out for Durga Puja journeys?

Durga Puja is one of the largest festivals for Bengali and in Kolkata, it is not only a religious festival but a grand celebration. Everybody in Kolkata, gets ready to welcome Maa Durga from one week before and celebrate the festival with great pomp, fervor, and enthusiasm. During this festival, all Bengalis wherever they stay visit their hometowns to celebrate the festival with their family and friends. Apart from that, people from all parts of India come to Kolkata to participate in this celebration as well. So, it becomes very difficult to get a confirmed ticket during this period, if you are not early enough. If someone has to travel to Kolkata during this period then check Indian railway enquiry seat availability at the earliest or wait it out for the special trains to be announced. However, if it is a planned journey then check train seat availability and book the ticket 120 days before the date of journey.

Like all years there was an acute scarcity of tickets for all trains plying to Kolkata, this year too. Most of the premier trains such as Sealdah Rajdhani (Train no. 12314), Kolkata Rajdhani via Gaya (Train no. 12302), Kolkata Rajdhani via Patna (Train no. 12302), New Delhi-Sealdah Duronto Express (Train no. 12302), New Delhi-Howrah Duronto Express (Train no. 12302), Mumbai-Howrah Duronto Express (Train no. 12261), Yesvantpur Junction-Howrah Duronto Express (Train no. 12246) and other A category trains had their capacity of tickets filled with 6 hours of the advance ticket window opening! Even if you make a railway enquiry for seat availability in a special train, you would find most of them have already run out of confirmed berths.

Some other express trains such as Mysore-Howrah Express train (Train no. 12314), Gitanjali Express train (Train no. 12859), Mumbai CSMT-Howrah Kolkata Mail (Train no. 12322), Kalka-Howrah Kalka Mail (Train no. 12312), etc. generally filled out within 10-12 hours after the advance booking window opened. So, if you want to visit Kolkata during this period it is advisable to check Indian railway enquiry seat availability and book the ticket in Special trains as soon as possible otherwise that scope will also vanish.

Every year many special trains are launched during this period to meet the Durga puja rush. But the tickets for these special trains too run out rapid quick. This year, tickets in special trains such as ChennaiHowrah Durga Puja AC special Express Train (Train no. 00842), Puducherry-Kolkata Santragachi Pooja Suvida Express (Train no. 060100), Ernakulam-Howrah SF Suvida Express Train (Train no. 02854), etc. ran out within 18-20 hours after the advance ticket booking process began. And there are handful more special trains left. So make your railway enquiry seat availability and book your berths in special trains at the earliest!

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What you should do after missing a train?

Sometimes despite our best efforts we miss our train! And when that happens, all our plans seem to collapse. But a diligent traveller always should have a backup plan in place, in such scenario. Yes, it may seem futile while making this alternate plan because you know that you are going to get out of home with ample time in hand; but then again trouble can come within five minutes. As a frequent traveller, I have faced such situations many times and have devised my own contingency plan. So, before you plan your next trip, here are my tips on what to do if you miss your train.

First of all, don’t panic. The more you keep your cool, the more you can concentrate on salvaging the situations. After the initial panic mode is over, it is time to think about alternate travel plans. If your destination can be reached by bus, start looking at online bus ticket booking offers. Sometimes, you may get best offers on bus tickets at the last moment; so, start looking at them. Of course, you can go for the next available train, but in most routes, especially if they are popular ones, it will be hard to get confirmed tickets at such last moment.

The only way you can get a train ticket is of course by buying an unreserved one. If you are ready to face the crowd that most unreserved compartments will have, go for it. If you are ready to pay extra, see if any trains have dynamic price tickets remaining; which are available generally for Shatabdi, Duranta and Rajdhani trains. Otherwise, online booking of bus tickets is your best option.

As said before, always keep contingency plan in mind while chalking out your travel plans. So, if you have onward journey plan after getting off the train you missed, then it is better that you keep at least 5 to 6 hours difference between the two legs of your journey. That way, you have at least some chance of catching the next train, if you travel by alternate route. If not, before you start looking at alternate options, cancel the train tickets of that journey. 

  Lastly, if you have booked a hotel or if someone is coming to pick you up, let them know about your change of plans. If you don’t have a place to go back before you can catch your bus or train, waiting at the platform is the best bet. If you are catching a train and it is pretty late, see if you can arrange for a retiring room.

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Why you should visit Giridih?

Giridih has been a popular destination not just today, but since the last two centuries! It was the place to go when doctors prescribed a “change of air”. This little town may have been in Bihar and then in Jharkhand, but Bengalis have always been associated with the town. It is easy to reach here from not only Kolkata but also other major towns like Durgapur. You will find more than one good bus ticket offers if you want to visit this city. Train tickets are also available; but the choice of trains is very limited. It was and is still better to do bus booking when coming to Giridih. Now once you come here, what are the places you must visit? Read on below to know some of them:

 Situated in Parasnath hills, Usri Falls is created by river Barakar taking a 39 feet plunge. This beautiful waterfall is a favorite picnic spot for locals as well as tourists. 

Adjacent to Usri falls is the very famous Parasnath Hills. This is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Jains. It is believed that 20 of the 2014 Jain Tirthankars attended Nirvana at this point. It is also one of the highest points of Chotanagpur Plateau. 

 Shikharji Temple at the top of Parasnath Hill is a must visit for any pilgrim as well as tourist. This beautiful temple is a new construction however the idol inside dates back to the 17th century. Reaching Parasnath Hills from Giridih as well as neighboring places is quite easy you can easily book tickets online for the journey. 

 Another must-not-be-missed place, while you are in Giridih, is Khandoli Dam. This damn is a wellknown birdwatchers’ paradise and not only that, this wetland also offers exciting water sports opportunities such as kayaking, parasailing and more. You can even go for rock climbing here. 

 Lastly, there is the beautiful Surya Mandir situated in middle of a lake in Mirzaganj, about 33 KM from Giridih town. This beautiful temple is shaped like a lotus flower and is very popular with pilgrims who come. 

 Within the city, don’t miss the house of Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose who spent his last days here and that of Rabindranath Tagore where he composed many of his work.

So, the next time the travel bug bites and you want to go to a different kind of place look for bus tickets online to Giridih and have a very memorable holiday. With modern day travel apps bus booking has become a child’s play!

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2 Trains that make your Delhi to Agra travel a great experience!

One of the most popular tourist circuits is Delhi-Agra. Naturally, there are more than 100 trains that run between these two destinations, which means that train ticket availability in this route, even at the last moment, is quite high. But are all the trains same? No, there are some trains that should be first looked into when you are booking train ticket from Delhi to Agra, then others which comprise your plan B and some that are better avoided. So, to help you out, here are details of two best trainsin this route.

Gatimaan Express: A new entrant to this route, but till now the best one, this semi-high-speed train reaches Agra within 100 minutes! The train runs between New Delhi and Jhansi, with stops in Agra and Gwalior. It leaves from Hajrat Nizamuddin Railway Station at 8:10 AM and reaches Agra Cantonment at 9:50 AM. It is rarely late; on the other hand, it is known to reach two or three minutes before! The train runs on all days except Fridays. On the return journey, the train arrives at Agra Cantonment at 5:50 PM and reaches Delhi by 7:30 PM. The train timing has been made keeping in mind those tourists who like to visit Agra just to see the Taj Mahal and don’t plan to stay there. One can easily see the Taj Mahal and return the same day by booking Delhi to Agra train ticket for this train. Apart from being fast, the train offers free entertainment through WiFi, bio-toilets in the bathroom and GPS-enabled passenger information. The whole train is a sitting train with two classes - Executive Class and Chair Car. Onboard catering is also available, and the menu has been selected keeping in mind international tourists.

Hazrat Nizamuddin-Durg Humsafar Express: If you are planning to visit Agra over the weekend, then this train is a good choice. It runs twice a week, Wednesdays and Sundays. You have high chance of getting your Delhi to Agra train ticket in this train which takes a little more than 2 hours to reach Agra Cantonment. It leaves Nizamuddin at 8:25 AM and reaches Agra at 10:52 AM. However, it is known to run at least half an hour late. The train has mostly AC 3tier coaches and offers dynamic price tickets, which means you can buy them at the very last moment (even after charts are prepared). The price of train ticket from Delhi to Agra comes with a base fare of less than INR 500 and maximum dynamic price hovers between INR 800 to 900. The train scores well in cleanliness ratings as well.

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Why Volvo bus booking is essential for Chandigarh tours from Delhi?

Gone are those days when people hesitated to travel on buses, especially during their long journeys. Bus journey has now become a popular means of transportation in India. With the advent of Volvo buses and improvement in Indian roads, traveling by bus has become more suitable and safer. Chandigarh is one of the most visited cities from New Delhi. And what’s more, online bus booking trends show that New Delhi to Chandigarh journeys are very popular among the travelers. The distance (by road) between these two cities is about 260 KM (which can be covered in 4-5 hours by a bus) and there are many bus options available on this route. The bus ticket prices (if you have not availed any of the best offers on bus tickets) ranges between INR 500-1200. Volvo bus booking is the most popular among the choices of buses along this route. And there are plenty of reasons for the same as well.

Volvo buses plying on this route are available all through the day. They are not only grand in appearance, but also ooze in comforts. One can find many modern day features such as Wi-Fi, mineral water bottles, pillows, blankets, charging points, media player, reading light, emergency exit, fire extinguisher, etc. within the bus. Apart from the temperature control mechanism within such buses also keeps the passengers comfortable all through the journey duration. The costs of Volvo bus booking can be slightly higher than the other normal buses. But do not fear, look through the best offers on bus tickets provided by most reputed travel apps, and you will get a really cost effective deal.

Bus journeys, as it is, bring you closer to landscape. Just remove the curtains from your window panes, and you would be able to pass time just by witnessing the changing landscapes between New Delhi and Chandigarh. While the bus traverses through many important government offices and high rises within Delhi, the scenery outside undergoes a complete change as soon as you reach the outskirts of Chandigarh. Tou would be met with the rugged beauty of rural Chandigarh and then it is gradually overtaken by the greenery.

Yes, there are small stretches bumpy road along the route, but you will not feel a thing. Why? Because the Volvo buses come with superior shock absorbers, which remove the jerks to a large extent. If you are a regular traveller on this route and the scenary outside the window is not a thing that excites you then you could well pass the time watching some Bollywood movies during those hours of journey.

So, these were some of the reasons why Volvo bus booking is evident if you are planning a trip to Chandigarh from New Delhi.

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5 Dishes you have to try out while in Kolkata

There is about a month left for Durga Puja and one of the best places to be during this period is Kolkata. For 5 days, the city turns into a never-ending carnival. Along with various “pandal” and beautiful idols, one thing not to be missed during this period is all the food you will find in every corner of this city. Even if you are passing through the city in your train journey, ask your food provider in train to deliver them to your seat! If you want to know which the items to order (and from where) from your rail meal booking, then this article is for you.

 Kathi Roll: The most popular street food in Kolkata, it is truly a meal on the go. You can have it with all kinds of items; but the most popular is the egg roll. This is the best non-veg food on train option as it is meal on the go. Also, you get it in a variety of combinations possible; and even the veg versions with just paneer and not eggs! They can be both a snack and dinner/lunch option. 

 Biryani: Kolkata Biryani, taste wise is like the Lucknow biryani, but different from that variant because they come with a large piece of potato! If you haven’t eaten a biryani with potato, then you are missing something! There are known biryani places, chief among them being Aminia, Siraz, and Nizam. So, ask your food provider in train to deliver any variety you like, chicken or mutton or even veg to your seat!

 Kosha Mangsho: This is lamb or mutton slow fried with onions and other spices. It does not have much gravy, it is thick and spice laden, and goes best with the Roomali roti or paratha. Again, it is perfect for travel as it is not messy to eat. One of the best versions is available from Golbari in North Kolkata; if you are staying in Kolkata, you can pack them for your train journey. This can be your next memorable non-veg food on train!

  Luchi-Tarkari: This is a must have breakfast dish when you are in Kolkata. So, if you reach the city in the morning, make sure you ask your food provider in train to deliver this as your breakfast. The “Luchi” is a flour based fried item, and unlike the “poori” popular in North India, they are not stuffed with anything. The “tarkari” or vegetable curry that comes with it is generally a potato curry. Sometimes, it may also come with Bengal gram dal, which is generally thick with coconuts and raisins in them. The hotter they are the better; and so, gobble them as soon as you get them!

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Top 5 routes for Volvo buses in India

With the evolution of Volvo Bus services in India, bus transportation has become a popular mode of transportation. Unlike earlier days, people now look to travel more on buses than any other mode of transportation. Over the last couple of years, there has been a tremendous growth in the bus services. With the advent of luxurious but affordable Volvo buses and the latest travel apps the life of passenger has really become simple and with that, the mindset of Indian traveler has now changed.

With AC buses online service, Indian traveler does not mind spending a few more pennies to get some respite from the hot and humid climate of India. Unlike earlier days, you do not have to depend on the government buses, Volvo bus services are now available in all parts of India. You can avail the most luxurious Volvo buses at an affordable price. Some of the top routes for Volvo bus services in India are:

 Chennai to Bengaluru: You can now get world-class Volvo buses while travelling from Chennai to Bengaluru, which covers a distance of 347 KM and reaches the destination in just a bit more than 5 hours. You can also avail the service from 5 AM to 11:30 PM. The price of the ticket starts from INR 1030 per passenger. 

 Pune to Mumbai: The distance from Pune to Mumbai is 150 KM and with the advent of Volvo bus service you can now comfortably cover this distance in just 4 hrs. 30 min. You can book the ticket online from any travel app at just INR 416.

 Indore to Bhopal: You do not have to worry about your train ticket confirmation as you can now avail the most luxurious and comfortable Volvo bus service to reach Bhopal from Indore in just 3 hrs. 30 min. The price of ticket ranges from INR 250-400 and you can choose your time and seat as per your choice. 

 Delhi to Chandigarh: Chandigarh is situated at a distance of 246 KM from New Delhi. Unlike earlier days you do not need to hire a cab or book a train ticket if you wish to travel to Chandigarh from New Delhi as you can avail the most luxurious and comfortable Volvo buses at just INR 500 per passenger. With Volvo bus services you can reach Chandigarh from New Delhi in just 4 hr. 30 mins.

 Patna to Siliguri: The distance between Patna and Siliguri is 456.8 KM by road, but you can now avail AC buses online service of Volvo buses to reach Siliguri comfortably from Patna in just 11 hrs. 10 mins and at an affordable price of INR 470 per passenger.

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Which are the top routes for Howrah - Guwahati Saraighat Express?

Howrah-Guwahati Saraighat Express (train no: 12345) is a popular super-fast train that connects Howrah in West Bengal to Guwahati in Assam. Being one of the most popular trains for this route, the ticket demands in this train are always sky high. So, the only way of receiving a PNR status SMS (after booking) with CNF written on it, is to use the 120 days advance ticket booking window. Otherwise you would be left with the regular duty of making railway PNR status check online. By the by, there are some travel apps today, where you do not have to provide the PNR number each time to carry out a PNR status check. Once you provide the information it is stored in the app for all future queries. However, coming to the point here are some routes of the Howrah-Guwahati Saraighat Express on which the tickets run out rapid, quick!

 Howrah to Guwahati: The end to end journey between Howrah and Guwahati is the most popular route among the passengers of this train. It is seen that the maximum number of passengers travel from the source station to the destination station. The train starts from Howrah at 3:50 PM and reaches Guwahati at 9:55 AM. So, automatically the tickets to Guwahti run out the fastest in this train. 

 Howrah to New Bongaigaon: New Bongaigaon is an important business center in Assam and is mostly known for the major petrochemical industry. Many people from Kolkata and other places of West Bengal work in the petrochemical businesses and this train is ideal for these passengers as they can get down to New Bongaigaon at 6:25 AM on the second day of journey and can attend their office easily. Thus, tickets to New Bongaigaon are the next fastest to finish.

 Barddhaman to Guwahati: Guwahati is the hub of the whole North East. Every day hundreds of people travel to Guwahati from Barddhaman for various purposes. Since this train has a very convenient time of boarding at Bardhaman, so many passengers prefer this train for their Guwahati journeys. 

 Howrah to Maldah Town: Maldah is an important business center in West Bengal and many people travel to Maldah from Kolkata and its nearby places for trade and business purposes. The train starts from Howrah Junction at 3:50 PM and reaches Maldah Town at 9:30 PM. Tickets from Howrah to Maldah town are the fourth fastest to finish in the Saraighat Express.

 Howrah to New Jalpaiguri: Siliguri is a prominent city of North bengal and New Jalpaiguri station is the gateway to Darjeeling and Gangtok as well. Many tourists to North Bengal hills and forests choose Saraighat Express for their journeys. And this is why tickets between Howrah and New Jalpaiguri also finish off quite quickly.

So, book the tickets in advance if you are planning to travel on these routes in the Saraighat Express. Advance booking gives you the best chance of seeing a Confirmed status in PNR status SMS even for these popular routes. If you have a RAC or Waitlisted ticket do run the query with PNR number on a travel app.

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Which are the most popular routes of 12859 Gitanjali Express?

Gitanjali Express (train no.: 12859) is the most popular train on the Mumbai-Kolkata route. It is a superfast train that plies between Mumbai and Kolkata every day. It reaches Kolkata from Mumbai in just 30.5 hours, covering a distance of 1968 KM in the process. The train is mostly timely and you can check Gitanjali express running status to verify this fact. You can check the train status of 12859 at any time easily just by downloading a reputed train travel app. But today we are going to tell you something different about this train. We are going to tell you about 5 most popular routes, where maximum people board or get down at, along the Gitanjali Express running route.

1. Mumbai CST to Howrah: The end to end of journey between Mumbai and Howrah is the most popular route among the passengers of this train. Most prefer this train while they are journeying from Mumbai to Howrah. This route popularity can be checked with a simple Indian train status enquiry. 

2. Nagpur to Howrah: The Gitanjali Express arrives at Nagpur at 6:50 PM and reaches Howrah next day at 12:30 PM making it an ideal option for Nagpur dwellers willing to travel to Kolkata. This is the second most popular route of 12859.

3. Mumbai CST to Kharagpur: Kharagpur is a major industrial city, thousands of passengers travel to Kharagpur from Mumbai for their livelihood. And many of them choose the Gitanjali Express. With the fastest timing between Mumbai and Kharagpur, train status of 12859 tickets is always high in demand. 

4. Kalyan Junction to Howrah: Kalyan is a city in Thane district of Maharashtra. And it is one of the populous cities near Mumbai. And when the people from Thane wish to travel to Kolkata they invariably choose the Gitanjali Express. Making it the fourth most popular route of the train.

 5. Mumbai CST to Raipur Junction: Raipur Junction is an important railway station in the state of Chhattisgarh and many Mumbaiites choosing to travel to the neighboring state choose the Gitanjali Express as their travel medium. This is why the route between Mumbai and Raipur features fifth in this unique Indian train status list.

Apart from the good to know information, these popular routes also point out the fact that Gitanjali Express tickets are most sought after in these sections. So, before booking a ticket in Gitanjali Express keep these popular routes in mind.

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Book bus online and set out to explore Pondicherry from Chennai

Is your dream of a weekend getaway to Pondicherry still unfulfilled even after your prolonged stay at Chennai? A Pondicherry trip from Chennai is no big deal as it does not need prior rail bookings or flight bookings! One can set out from Chennai on a Saturday morning or a Friday evening to explore Pondicherry by just booking bus tickets! One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways of traveling to Pondicherry from Chennai is by road. Book bus online tickets via any reputed bus booking app and reach Pondicherry within maximum 4 hours!

There are a number of Volvo buses that start from Chennai around 10-11 AM and reach Pondicherry around 1-2 PM respectively. The time taken by Volvo Buses in covering a distance of 169 KM is usually 3 hours and 15 minutes. You can also book bus tickets for evening buses that start from Chennai around 6-7 PM to reach Pondicherry around 9:15-10:15 PM. Those who book bus online tickets via bus apps can avail amazing discounts and offers on ticket prices!

Places to visit in Pondicherry 

Pondicherry is a serene travel destination that boasts of spiritual enlightenment, educational uplift, religious tolerance, mind-soothing peacefulness, pristine beaches, and glimpses of colonial culture. This amazing getaway is a pure blend of history, culture, and architecture. Pondicherry allows tourists to break free from the hustle and bustle of Chennai or Bangalore. Pondicherry is indeed a paradise for people in search of unspoiled tranquility. 

 Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville City: Auroville City, also known as “Universal Town”, is a living example of community living and collective growth. Created on the principles of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, this place allows people from different cultures and countries professing different beliefs to live in harmony and peace. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community, had grown from a small group of disciples that followed Sri Aurobindo when he retired in 1910 from the political movements and settled in Pondicherry.

 French Quarter and Promenade: Till 1954, Pondicherry was a French Colonial Settlement in India. The pieces of French history remain preserved in the French Quarter that boasts of mustard-hued colonial villas, streets lined with uniform trees, and chic boutiques. The seaside promenade, running along the Bay of Bengal, passes a number of statues including the 4 meter high Gandhi Memorial.

 Arikamedu: This is an important archeological site and the excavations conducted here prove that Arikamedu was an ancient Indo-Roman trade center. The excavations include ancient Roman wine jars, coins, and Roman trade remnants.

 Pondicherry Museum: Another must-visit place is the Pondicherry Museum that has incredible collections of sculptures in Bharathi Park. The museum also houses remnants of archeological findings and sculptures from the Arikamedu Roman Colony.

Enjoy your Pondicherry trip and return with a soothed mind!

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Some dishes to order when yourtrain is passing through Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is a state exactly at the center of India and when you are passing whether from east to west or from North to South in our vast country, a part of your train journey must be over this amazing state. Now, if you are a traveler who is interested in what you get to eat on a train along with your destination, then here is a guide of some good veg and non-veg food on train that you must taste while travelling through Madhya Pradesh. Gone are the days when you were forced to eat whatever the Railway catering offered; now thanks to various apps for food on train, you can order anything you like even before you reach a station! So, let’s see some of these must-try dishes.

Dal Bafla 

This is a cousin of the famous Rajasthani dish Dal Bati Churma but here they are served in a different way and is not as Ghee laden as their Rajasthani cousin. You will get the Bafla, which is wheat dough cooked and then dipped in ghee, along with a spicy dal and coriander chutney.

Bhutte Ka Kees 

Another dish that will find almost anywhere in the state and which your food provider in train will easily get for you is Bhutte ka kees. As the name implies this is a dish made of corn; the corn is grated and then cooked in milk which gives it a slightly sweet taste. Then the cooked corns are tossed with green chillies, mustard seeds and various spices to make a very healthy snacking option which is perfect for those hunger pangs around tea time. One of the best cities to get it is Indore, so make sure you let your preferred food provider on train knows that you want this dish while you are passing through Indore.

Sheek Kabab 

Coming to non-veg food, one of the must try dishes is of course Sheek Kebab. This mouthwatering Mughlai dish is the best non-veg food on train to order if you are passing through Bhopal. The minced meat is shaped around a skewer and then cooked to perfection over a coal fire to give you a melt in the mouth type Kabab.

Bhopali Ghost Korma 

Another non-veg dish that you must order on train, again from Bhopal, is Bhopali Gosht Korma. This is a true Nawabi recipe showcasing the history of the city. Mutton is slow cooked in a spicy gravy and best tasted with some flatbread like Naan.

So, next time you are passing through Madhya Pradesh do not forget to ask your food provider in train for these dishes!

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Why Gitanjali Express is the best choice of train for a Mumbai trip?

Mumbai is well connected by train service to the Eastern part of India and there are many good trains that run between Kolkata and Mumbai every day. Some such reputed trains include:

 Howrah-Mumbai CST Duronto Express (Train No. 122622): The train leaves Howrah at 8:20 AM and reaches CSTM at 10:30 AM on the following day, the normal duration of the journey being 26 hours and 10 minutes. The train leaves Howrah on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

 Gitanjali Express (Train No. 12860): This train starts from Howrah at 1:50 PM and reaches Mumbai at 9:20 PM on the following night, the scheduled duration of the journey being 31 hours and 30 minutes. The train starts from Howrah every day of the week.

 Jnaneshwarisupdi (Train No. 12102): The train leaves Howrah at 10:50 PM and reaches Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 5:45 AM on the day after, the normal journey duration being 31 hours. The train leaves Howrah on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

 Howrah – Mumbai CST Express (Train No. 12870): Starting from Howrah at 2:35 PM, this train reaches CSTM at 11:15 PM on the following night. The journey duration is of 32 hours and 40 minutes while the train is available from Howrah only on Fridays.

The Gitanjali Express, among the above-mentioned trains, is the best choice of train for a Mumbai trip from Eastern India, as it starts from Howrah every day of the week. This makes ticket availability easier for Gitanjali in comparison to the availability of seats in Duronto or other trains. Accounting this factor, it can be said that Gitanjali Express is a better option than Duronto, thought Duronto covers the distance much faster.

The Gitanjalli that runs from Mumbai to Howrah (Train No. 12859) is also a favorite choice for MumbaiHowrah trips. Although trains are delayed in monsoons, Gitanjali Express always tries to make up for lost time and ends up being minimally late in the long run. Travelers about to board Gitanjali from any of the stoppage stations in between can check the Gitanjali Express train status from the reputed travel app.

Checking Indian train status is no longer a big deal, thanks to the reputed travel apps that have come to the fore in the recent years. Both the 12860 and 12859 train status can be checked live through such apps. Checking the 12860 and 12859 train status, i.e. Gitanjali Express train status for both way journeys is easy and fast via smart travel apps available today.

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How to plan a 3-day trip to Puri?

Puri is one of the most sacred places in India, and most Hindus will at least visit this temple city once during their life time. It is also popular with other tourists because of the beaches, and nearby attractions. No matter which category of tourist you fall under, here are some ideas on how to plan a short but fruitful trip to Puri. With help of outstation cabs, which you can easily book online, visiting Puri and the nearby places have never been easier.

Day-1 

Depending on how you reach Puri, whether by plane or train, keep the day for rest and see the beaches during the evening. If you are on a religious trip, visit the Jagannath temple in the evening before you spend a pleasant evening at the beach eating the many street foods available. If you reach in the morning, you can also take a bath in the sea. But be careful; the sea here is notorious for sudden under-currents, so take help of the “nuliya” community who are there for this purpose. And of course, do your online outstation cab booking for next day, if you haven’t already.

Day-2

 Have a hearty breakfast, then if you had arrived late, go to Jagannath temple and the nearby temples for darshan. If you are not here for religious reasons, still go there because it is one of the best places to observe humanity. If you are a non-Hindu, you won’t be allowed into the main temple, but there is a spot outside the door where you can catch a glimpse of the idol! Then after lunch, book outstation cab online (if you have not done before) and head for Konark temple and Chandraghaga beach. Konark Sun temple is one of the best temples and is best seen during sunset; so, time your visit accordingly. If you are planning a whole day trip, then you can see the temple in the morning and post lunch can visit Chilka and watch the sunset. Don’t forget to spot the dolphins!

  Day-3 

Do your online outstation cab booking beforehand so that your car arrives early. After an early breakfast, try to leave Puri by 8 AM. Your target should be to see Nandan Garden, and other temples around Bhubaneswar like Lingaraj temple. If you like little bit of adventure, keep Khandagiri and Udaigiri in your must-visit list. Have lunch and then return via Dhauli and Pipli. Pipli is famous for its handicraft; so, make sure you shop to your heart’s content. It will be quite late, so make sure your vehicle (rented through online outstation cab booking) drops you at Puri hotel on time.