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| 14-09-2026 | |
| SPECIAL TRAIN FOR SOMNATH PILGRIMAGE FLAGGED OFF FROM KOLKATA STATION AS PART OF SOMNATH SWABHIMAN PARV | |
SPECIAL TRAIN FOR SOMNATH PILGRIMAGE FLAGGED OFF FROM KOLKATA STATION AS PART OF SOMNATH SWABHIMAN PARV
Kolkata, 12 September 2026:
As part of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s clarion call to observe the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, commemorating 1000 Years of India’s Unwavering Faith, a special train for the Somnath Pilgrimage was flagged off from Kolkata station today (12 September 2026).
The flag-off ceremony was graced by Dr. Shankar Ghosh, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Tourism Department & Parliamentary Affairs Department; Shri Koushik Chowdhury, Hon’ble Minister of State, School Education Department and Fire & Emergency Services Department; Shri Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Minister of State, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department; and Smt. Purnima Chakraborty, Hon’ble Minister of State, Information & Cultural Affairs Department and Tourism Department. Ms. Gitika Pandey, General Manager, Eastern Railway, along with other distinguished guests and senior railway officials, were also present on the occasion.
The special train departed from Kolkata, West Bengal, on 12 September 2026 and is scheduled to reach Somnath, Gujarat, on 14 September 2026. The pilgrims will participate in various religious and cultural engagements at Somnath from 15 to 16 September 2026. Thereafter, the special train will depart from Somnath on 17 September 2026 for its return journey to Kolkata.
The special train has received an enthusiastic response from pilgrims, who expressed their happiness and excitement over the opportunity to undertake the pilgrimage through this dedicated rail service.
The initiative reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Railways, under the leadership of Hon’ble Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, towards facilitating pilgrims and providing convenient and comfortable rail connectivity for important religious and cultural journeys.
The Somnath Swabhiman Parv seeks to celebrate the enduring spirit of India's civilisational heritage, faith and cultural traditions, with Somnath standing as a symbol of the nation's unwavering devotion and resilience through the ages.