NEW DELHI — A direct passenger train will stitch together the two foundational poles of the Ramayana tradition this November.
Indian Railways completed route trials and finalized operating schedules for a new weekly cross-border rail service running 604 kilometres between Ayodhya Cantt. in Uttar Pradesh and Janakpur Dham in Nepal. The Prime Ministers of India and Nepal will virtually flag off the inaugural run on November 23, 2026, during the Nepali leader's official diplomatic visit to New Delhi. Railway authorities have prepared an on-ground ceremony at Ayodhya Railway Station, tethered by a live video link to Hyderabad House where the two heads of government will formally launch the service.
The link is historic. Ayodhya stands revered as the birthplace of Prabhu Shri Ram. Across the border, Janakpur Dham marks the ancestral seat and birthplace of Mata Sita.
The trans-boundary route snakes through the agricultural heartland of eastern Uttar Pradesh and northern Bihar before crossing into Nepal's plains. The tracks span roughly 604 kilometres from end to end.
Trial runs over the newly cleared alignment have already wrapped up without operational hitches. The service will offer regular weekly rotations to manage the heavy cross-border footfall of pilgrims, students, traders, and divided families. Commercial halts sit at Jaynagar, Madhubani, Shisho, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Narkatiaganj, Gorakhpur, Basti, Mankapur, and Ayodhya Dham, alongside the two terminal stations at Janakpur Dham and Ayodhya Cantt.
| Operational Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Route Length | Approximately 604 km |
| Terminals | Ayodhya Cantt. (India) — Janakpur Dham (Nepal) |
| Flag-Off Date | November 23, 2026 |
| Inauguration Venues | Hyderabad House, New Delhi & Ayodhya Railway Station |
| Janakpur Dham Departure | Every Saturday |
| Ayodhya Cantt. Departure | Every Monday |
| Major En-Route Halts | Jaynagar, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Raxaul, Gorakhpur, Basti |
Timetables drawn up by railway planners set origin runs out of Janakpur Dham every Saturday. The return leg pulls out of Ayodhya Cantt. every Monday.
While direct cross-border bus operations already ferry passengers along the circuit, rail transit dramatically lowers costs and transit friction for mass pilgrimages. Small traders along the border towns of Raxaul and Jaynagar stand to gain direct access to central Uttar Pradesh markets. Hotels, lodges, and local transport operators in both temple hubs anticipate an immediate surge in weekend occupancy.
With track inspections and trial passes completed, station teams in Ayodhya and Janakpur Dham are now outfitting terminal platforms and passenger facilities ahead of the November 23 ceremonial departure.