In a major move to facilitate smooth and hassle-free travel for lakhs of devotees attending the Puri Rath Yatra 2025, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced the operation of 365 special trains during the grand annual festival dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. These trains will supplement the regular train services and are scheduled to run between June 24 and July 10, covering the peak festival days including Gundicha Yatra, Sandhya Darshan, Bahuda Yatra, and Suna Besha.

The special trains will operate from 24 key locations across Odisha, including major cities, small towns, and interior regions to ensure wider connectivity. The places covered include Rourkela, Biramitrapur, Bangiriposi, Junagarh Road, Badampahar, Boudh, Jagdalpur, Balasore, Angul, Gunupur, Rayagada, Paradip, Bhadrak, Keonjhar, Daspalla, Khurda Road, Sambalpur, Talcher, Cuttack, Brahmapur, Dhenkanal, Barbil, and Palasa. In addition to these, the special trains will also originate from and pass through cities in neighbouring states such as Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Gondia in Chhattisgarh, and Santragachi in West Bengal, ensuring seamless inter-state travel for pilgrims and tourists flocking to the holy town of Puri for the Rath Yatra.

According to an official release by East Coast Railway, this extended railway connectivity is expected to manage the massive pilgrim surge during the Rath Yatra and ease the travel burden for people from remote and interior regions who otherwise have limited direct access to Puri. This initiative also supports the state’s broader efforts to provide safe and efficient travel options during one of India’s largest religious gatherings. Last year, the railways had operated 315 special trains for Rath Yatra 2024, and the increased number this year highlights the expected higher footfall and enhanced logistical planning.

ECoR has advised passengers to check train schedules, timings, and seat availability through the official portals like IRCTC and NTES, or by visiting railway enquiry counters and listening to station announcements. Updated train information will be made available closer to the festival days to help passengers plan better. The 365 special trains initiative stands as a testament to Indian Railways' commitment to supporting large-scale spiritual tourism and ensuring that the age-old tradition of Rath Yatra is experienced by all devotees with comfort, safety, and ease of travel.