New Delhi: As millions of devotees flock to Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025, Indian Railways has announced a special Vande Bharat train service between New Delhi and Varanasi to facilitate travel. The train will run on February 15, 16, and 17, ensuring a seamless journey for pilgrims attending the world’s largest spiritual gathering at the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
According to Northern Railway, the Vande Bharat Special Train No. 02252 will depart from New Delhi at 5:30 AM, stop at Prayagraj at 12:00 PM, and reach Varanasi by 2:20 PM. In the return direction, Train No. 02251 will leave Varanasi at 3:15 PM, halt at Prayagraj at 5:20 PM, and arrive in New Delhi by 11:50 PM the same night.
The Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, stated, “To ensure smooth travel for devotees planning to take a holy dip during the weekend, we have introduced this special Vande Bharat train on February 15, 16, and 17.”
Record-Breaking Attendance at Maha Kumbh 2025
Maha Kumbh 2025 has already set records for attendance, making it the largest spiritual gathering in history. Uttar Pradesh authorities revealed that over 500 million people have participated so far—surpassing the population of entire countries such as the United States, Russia, and Brazil.
Key bathing dates have witnessed staggering numbers of devotees taking a holy dip at the sacred Triveni Sangam:
- Paush Purnima – 17 million devotees
- Makar Sankranti – 35 million devotees
- Mauni Amavasya – 76.4 million devotees
- Basant Panchami – 25.7 million devotees
- Magh Purnima – 14 million devotees
- February 9 (Friday) – 7.9 million devotees by 4:00 PM
Additionally, over 200,000 Kalpavasis and 7.7 million devotees gathered at the Mela on Friday. Official data shows that more than 400,000 passengers arrived through 140 special trains.
Strict Traffic and Crowd Management Measures
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has implemented strict measures to manage the massive crowds, emphasizing smooth transportation and safety. Officers have been held accountable for preventing traffic congestion.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced on Paush Purnima (January 13, 2025), will continue until Mahashivratri (February 26, 2025), drawing devotees from across India and around the world. With the introduction of the special Vande Bharat train, Indian Railways aims to make travel more convenient for pilgrims attending this historic event.
