Berhampur: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the tourism arm of Indian Railways, has announced ‘Kashi-Gaya Pavitra Pinda Daan Yatra’ for 7 nights/8 days covering Gaya, Varanasi and Prayagraj.
Speaking at a presser in Berhampur on Thursday, Kranti P Sawarkar, Joint General Manager (Tourism), IRCTC said the departure date under the package from Bhubaneswar airport is September 29 to October 6.
As per the package, the flight would take off from Bhubaneswar airport at 6.20 hrs and land at Gaya at 14.10 hrs on the scheduled days. The return flight would land at Bhubaneswar at 1400 hrs.
On arrival at Gaya, the troupe would proceed to Bodh Gaya and check in to the hotel with dinner and overnight stay. After breakfast next day, they can perform all the rituals in Gaya at own expense and later visit Bodh Gaya temple.
Next morning, the troupe would depart for Varanasi where they will stay overnight and witness Ganga Arati. The troupe would then proceed to Kasi Viswanath temple and Annapurna temple.
Next day, they will go to Prayagraj where they will visit Triveni Sangam, Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri temple and overnight stay. Next day, they will proceed to Prayagraj airport after breakfast to board the Bhubaneswar flight at 12 hrs.
The package cost (single occupancy) is Rs 37,505 per person, Rs 28,335 (double occupancy per person), Rs 27,070 (triple occupancy per person), child (5 to 11 yrs) with bed Rs 23,800 and child (5 to 11 yrs) without bed Rs 18,270.
The IRCTC has come up with the package as “Pitru Paksha” will be observed from September 30 to October 14 this year. During the period, people throng Gaya in Bihar to perform “Pinda Daan”, a ritual for the departed persons of the family.