Indian Railways Festival Special Trains 2026: Diwali, Dussehra & Chhath Puja Travel Guide

The festive season is around the corner, and millions of people across India are preparing to travel home for Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. To help manage the seasonal rush, Indian Railways has announced several festival special trains connecting major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chandigarh, and Ahmedabad with destinations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

These additional services aim to make festive journeys more convenient for passengers travelling to meet their families and celebrate important occasions.

Diwali 2026: Important Date

Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8, 2026. With increased passenger demand expected during October and November, travellers should plan their journeys early and check train schedules before booking tickets.

1. Northern Railway: Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh Routes

Northern Railway has announced several special services connecting Delhi and Punjab with important destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Key trains include:

• Varanasi–Delhi Special (04209/04210): Scheduled for multiple trips between October and November.

• Ayodhya Cantt.–Anand Vihar Special (04213/04214): Connecting Ayodhya with Delhi.

• Chandigarh–Patna Special (04512/04511): Providing connectivity between Chandigarh and Bihar via major junctions.

• Firozpur Cantt.–Patna Special (04616/04615): Serving passengers travelling from Punjab towards Bihar.

• New Delhi–Kanpur Central Special (02456/02455): An additional option for passengers travelling between Delhi and Kanpur.

• Anand Vihar–Patliputra Special (04096/04095): Connecting Delhi with the Patna region.

• Anand Vihar–Muzaffarpur Special (04028/04027): Helping passengers travelling towards north Bihar.

These services can be useful for people travelling to visit family, attend religious celebrations, or return to their hometowns during the festive period.

2. Western Railway: Ahmedabad and Gujarat to Bihar

For passengers travelling from Gujarat to Bihar, several special trains have been listed for the 2026 festive season.

Important services include:

• Ahmedabad–Danapur Special (09417/09418): Connecting Ahmedabad with Danapur in Bihar.

• Ahmedabad–Barauni Special (09483/09484): An option for passengers travelling towards the Barauni region.

• Sabarmati–Sitamarhi Special (09421/09422): Connecting Gujarat with Sitamarhi in Bihar.

These routes are particularly relevant for passengers travelling from Ahmedabad and nearby Gujarat cities to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja with their families.

Passengers should confirm the operating dates, boarding stations, and intermediate stops before making travel arrangements.

3. Central Railway: Mumbai and Pune Festival Special Trains

Central Railway has also scheduled additional services for October and November 2026 to accommodate increased festive travel demand.

Some of the listed trains include:

• CSMT Mumbai–Gorakhpur Daily Special (01079/01080): Scheduled services between Mumbai and Gorakhpur during the festive period.

• Hadapsar, Pune–Gorakhpur Daily Special (01415/01416): Connecting Pune with eastern Uttar Pradesh.

• CSMT Mumbai–Chennai Beach AC Special (01015/01016): An additional AC service for passengers travelling towards Chennai.

• CSMT Mumbai–SMVT Bengaluru AC Special (01013/01014): Connecting Mumbai with Bengaluru.

• CSMT Mumbai–Nagpur Superfast Special (02139/02140): An option for passengers travelling between Mumbai and Nagpur.

• LTT Mumbai–Mau Special (01123/01124): Serving passengers travelling towards Mau in Uttar Pradesh.

• LTT Mumbai–Banaras Special (01051 and its corresponding return service): Intended for passengers travelling between Mumbai and the Banaras region.

These additional services offer more travel options for people departing from Mumbai and Pune during the festive rush.

4. How to Check Train Timings and Book Tickets

Before travelling, passengers should verify the latest train information through official railway platforms.

Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Indian Railways passenger reservation website, IRCTC.

2. Enter your departure station and destination.

3. Select your intended travel date.

4. Check train availability, departure and arrival times, and seat availability.

5. Review the train's running days and confirm the latest schedule before booking.

You can also check official train information through the Indian Railways website.

Important: Festival special train schedules, numbers, dates, and stops may change. Confirm all details through official railway sources before travelling. The train list above is based on the information provided and should not be treated as independently verified booking information.

5. Tips for a Hassle-Free Festive Journey

• Book early: Popular routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar can experience heavy demand.

• Check return tickets: Plan both onward and return journeys in advance.

• Confirm the boarding station: Some special trains operate from terminals different from regular services.

• Check your PNR: Review your ticket status before departure.

• Arrive early: Reach the station with enough time to locate your platform and coach.

• Follow railway announcements: Check for changes to platforms, timings, and train operations.

Conclusion

Indian Railways' festival special trains can provide additional travel options for passengers celebrating Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja in 2026. With connections from Delhi, Punjab, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati towards destinations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, travellers have several routes to consider.

The best way to enjoy a smooth festive journey is to plan ahead, check official train schedules, and book tickets as early as possible.

Planning your festive trip? Check the latest availability and train timings on IRCTC before finalising your travel plans.

Suggested blog keywords: Indian Railways festival special trains 2026, Diwali special trains 2026, Chhath Puja special trains 2026, Ahmedabad to Bihar special trains, Mumbai to Gorakhpur special train, Delhi to Patna festival train, Gujarat to Uttar Pradesh trains.