Bhubaneswar | November 4, 2024: To manage the heavy rush of devotees during Kartik Purnima and the Boita Bandana Utsav, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has announced special train services between Berhampur (Brahmapur) and Puri. The move aims to ensure comfortable travel for thousands of pilgrims heading to the holy coastal town to take part in traditional rituals and celebrations marking Odisha’s rich maritime heritage.
Special Train Timings and Details
According to an official release from ECoR, one special train will depart from Berhampur at 8:35 PM today (November 4, 2024) and reach Puri at 1:30 AM the next day.
The return service will leave Puri at 3:00 AM and arrive in Berhampur at 7:15 AM on November 5.
Additionally, another special service has been scheduled to depart Puri at 5:00 AM and reach Berhampur at 9:30 AM on the same day — providing smooth return options for devotees after completing their early morning Boita Bandana rituals along the Puri seashore.
Facilitating Pilgrims During Boita Bandana
Kartik Purnima marks one of Odisha’s most sacred occasions, celebrated with Boita Bandana, when devotees float miniature boats in water bodies at dawn to honour the state’s ancient maritime legacy of Kalinga.
Thousands of pilgrims are expected to gather at Puri Sea Beach for the ritual bath and early morning prayers, creating high demand for train connectivity between southern and coastal Odisha.
The additional services by ECoR are designed to reduce congestion and improve accessibility, ensuring a smoother travel experience for pilgrims and tourists.
Part of Indian Railways’ Festive Traffic Drive
The initiative is part of Indian Railways’ nationwide festive drive to accommodate surging passenger traffic during major celebrations such as Diwali, Chhath Puja, and Kartik Purnima.
In October, the East Coast Railway operated 367 special trains, serving over 78,000 passengers as part of a national plan that involved nearly 12,000 special train services across India.
ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal said that the railway zone has been actively coordinating to manage festival traffic efficiently while prioritizing safety and passenger convenience.
Temporary Train Cancellations Due to Infrastructure Work
Meanwhile, ECoR has announced temporary cancellations of multiple long-distance and inter-state trains between November 10 and 24, 2024, owing to yard remodelling work at Shalimar Railway Station under the South Eastern Railway’s Kharagpur Division.
The affected services include key trains connecting Shalimar with Puri, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Secunderabad, Nagercoil, Sambalpur, and Vasco-da-Gama.
Among the major cancellations are:
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Puri–Shalimar Express (12882/12881)
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Visakhapatnam–Shalimar Express (22853/22854)
Railway officials clarified that these suspensions are essential for infrastructure upgradation and smoother train operations. Normal services are expected to resume after November 24.
A Devotional Journey on the Rails
With the Boita Bandana Mahotsav and Kartik Purnima celebrations drawing thousands to Puri, the East Coast Railway’s proactive measures ensure that faith and travel can flow together seamlessly.
The special trains between Berhampur and Puri not only enhance passenger convenience but also reinforce the cultural and spiritual significance of this annual maritime festival — where devotion meets heritage under the golden sunrise of Odisha’s coastline.
