Bharat Darshan on HimSagar Express

Himsagar Express is the longest running train in the country, running between Jammu Tawi Railway Station in the extreme north and Kanyakumari Railway Station in the extreme south. The name 'Himsagar' is indicative of the great Himalayas and the mighty Indian Ocean. The train is painted cream and blue.

It has the longest run both in terms of total time taken and distance covered. It covers its route of 2,344 miles or 3,751 Km in 74 hours and 55 minutes.

It serves 4 zones – Southern Railways, South Central, Central and Northern Railways. It runs through the states of Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

The Himsagar Express and the Navyug Express, between Jammu Tawi and Mangalore, cover the largest number of 11 states during their respective journeys.

The Express runs once a week and covers a distance of 3,751 km in 74 hours and 55 minutes. Jalandhar, Ludhiana, New Delhi, Bhopal, Nagpur, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram are the main stations on the way

Train Number 6318: Jammu Tawi to Kanyakumari, leaves Jammu Tawi at 23:15 hrs on Mondays.

Train Number 6317: Kanyakumari to Jammu Tawi, leaves Kanyakumari at 14:05 hrs on Fridays.

Base fare: Class IA – Rs 2857.00Class IIA – Rs 2479.00Class IIIA – Rs 645.00

The stops on HimSagar are :

Jammu Tawi, Bari Brahman, Samba, Kathua, Madhopur Punjab, Pathankot, Chakki Bank, Mukerian, Dasuya, Tanda Urmar, Jalandar Cant, Phagwara Jn, Phillaur Jn, Ludhiana Jn, Kila Raipur, Ahmadgarh, Malerkotla, Dhuri Jn, Sangrur, Sunam, Chajli, Lehra Gaga, Jakhal Jn, Tohana, Narwana Jn, Uchana, Barsola, Jind Jn, Julana, Rohtak Jn, Sampla, Bahadurgarh, Shakurbasti, Delhi Kishanganj, New Delhi, H Nizamuddin, Faridabad, Agra Cantt, Dhaulpur, Gwalior, Jhansi Jn, Bhopal Jn, Itarsi Jn, Nagpur, Sevagram, Chandrapur, Balharshah, Ramagundam, Warangal, Khammam, Vijaywada Jn, Tenali Jn, Ongole, Nellore, Gudur Jn, Renigunta Jn, Katpadi Jn, Jplarpettai, Salem Jn, Erode Kn, Tiruppur, Coimbatore Jn, Palghat, Ottapalam, Trichur, Alwaye, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Quilon Jn, Trivandrum Central, Nagarcoil, Kanayakumari.

What’s more interesting is the number of interesting places on its route. If you decide to traverse the country…and do a Bharat Dharshan, this is the train to take. Imagine a journey across India, where you board Himsagar express on Monday at 14.05 hrs. Get off all the places I have described below…and take the Himsagar express…when it comes again to the same station the following week on the same day. You get a week to explore all the places around the station. This way, u might take 4 months to cover the country, but it would be a grand way to do it.

At Kanyakumari – Triveni or the merger of the 3 oceans. You can go to the Kanyakumari temple and the Vivekananda Rock. Explore southern parts of Kerala as well..and then board the Himsagar at 14.05 on Monday..and cover the rest of the journey.

Nagarcoil – You can go to Nagore mosque here. Go to Thirunelvelli to see the beautiful Nellaiappan temple. Go to Courtralam water falls also.

Trivandrum – It is the beautiful city by the Arabian sea. From here, you can go to the Padmanabha palace which is about 50 kms away on the Kerala – TN border.

Kottayam / Ernakulam – Go for a cruise in the backwaters in a Kettuvellam. Go to Cochin, see the Matancheru Palance and the Synagogue, and the worlds famous Chinese fishing nets.

Salem – From here, you can get to Yercaud hill station, which has some of the worlds most famous residential schools.

Jollarpettai – Yelagiri hill station is about 90 kms from here. Get to Bangalore from Jollarpetta if u wish to, and get back to board the train.

Renigunta – You can visit Tirupati Temple and Alamelu Temple in Tiruchanur from here.

Vijayawada – Get off here and enjoy Andhra food. Rajamundry is stones throw away. Go on a cruise in the godavari and treat yourself with the best sea food available.

Warangal – Visit the famour 1000 pillar temple

Jhansi – Go to Orcha from here.

Gwalior – visit Gwalior Fort and the palaces

Agra Cant - Of course, the Taj mahal, Fateh pur sikri, Sikandra, you can also escape to Rajasthan from here.

Nizamuddin – More Mughal monuments

New Delhi – Visit Red fort, Qutab Minar, Purana Quila, Humayuns Tomb, Lotus temple et all.

Jalandhar Cant – Go to the Golden Temple in Amritsar or the Wagah Border post.

Pathankot – If you wish to get to Kullu or Manali, this is the closest railway point. Get off here, to rush to the laps of the Himalayas.

Look out for these food experience. At the railway platforms, look out for, Dosa and vada at Erode from Kwality caterers, Ginger coffee(nice!) at Salem and Erode stations, Cardamon tea and Pazhampuri in Ernakulam, Mango Tandri in Vijayawada, Agri ke Pethe in Agra, Mithais and samosas through Punjab and Haryana, Oranges at Nagpur and Apples in Jammu.

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