The Newz Radar
UNA: In a significant move to facilitate the pilgrimage of Lord Ram devotees from Himachal Pradesh to the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Union Minister Anurag Thakur flagged off the Aastha Express train from Amb Andorra railway station in Una at 6 am on Monday (February 5, 2024).
The event, attended by Una MLA Satpal Satti, marked a crucial step in the broader social and religious campaign undertaken by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Una comes under Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, which is represented in the Lok Sabha by Anurag Thakur.
The construction of the Ram Temple, whose sanctum sanctorum and the idol of Ramlalla were consecrated on January 22, has garnered widespread enthusiasm across all sections of society. In response, the BJP has initiated a special pilgrimage campaign, with BJP leader Sanjeev Katwal appointed as the coordinator of the committee organising âAyodhya darshanâ for Lord Ram devotees.
The committee aims to send 6,000 devotees from across the state to Ayodhya in the first phase, utilising the Railway Department’s Aastha Express as a means of transport. The initial launch was scheduled for January 29, which was deferred to February 5.
The Aastha Express will traverse through Una-Nangal Dam-Chandigarh, reaching Ayodhya railway station at 2.55 pm after a 19-hour journey. The return journey is slated for February 7, departing from Ayodhya at 12.40 pm and arriving in Una on February 9 at 7.40 pm. Devotees will have the opportunity to visit the Ayodhya temple and its surrounding areas from February 6 morning until 10 pm.
The travel package for this pilgrimage initiative is priced at Rs 1,500, covering the round trip and providing meals during the train journey. Naveen Kumar, a state BJP member, has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the train service, with each coach having its own designated in-charge. The Aastha Express comprises 20 sleeper coaches, accommodating 64 devotees in each coach.
Registration is mandatory for the pilgrimage, and a single train can accommodate only 1,300 devotees. However, considering the overwhelming response, the committee is preparing to book additional Aastha Express trains based on registration numbers. Local BJP representatives from districts and divisions are actively assisting in the registration process.
