The demand for a direct rail service from the holy city of Orchha, home to Shri Ram Raja Sarkar, to Ayodhya has been longstanding. If approved, it will allow devotees from the Bundelkhand region to travel directly to Ayodhya. Responding to public sentiment, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has written a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging the introduction of a Vande Bharat train on this route.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia requests Vande Bharat train service from Orchha to Ayodhya
Scindia highlighted that Orchha, Chitrakoot, and Ayodhya share deep spiritual and cultural similarities. In his letter, he wrote, “Lord Ram is believed to have two abodes — Orchha and Ayodhya. People from Chhatarpur, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Jhansi, and nearby districts of Gwalior have long demanded a direct train service to Ayodhya.” As per local belief, Shri Ram Raja Sarkar spends the day in Orchha and the night in Ayodhya. Hence, a Vande Bharat train running from Virangana Lakshmi Bai Jhansi through Orchha, Chitrakoot, and Prayagraj to Ayodhya would enable devotees to visit all three key pilgrimage sites linked to Lord Ram.
Scindia further mentioned that the proposed route would allow pilgrims to bathe in the sacred waters of the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj. He emphasized that connecting these four major religious cities would not only promote spiritual tourism but also boost trade, culture, and inter-regional exchange. “This train will offer devotees a fast, comfortable, and modern travel experience while enhancing Orchha’s global prominence,” Scindia stated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working to develop Orchha
He also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working to develop Orchha as a World Heritage City, and this initiative would align with that vision. Besides the new Vande Bharat proposal, Scindia requested that existing trains such as Tulsi Express, Mahakaushal Express, Chambal Express, and Uttar Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express include a stop at Orchha station.
According to Scindia, “This train will not only act as a bridge of devotion but will also help realize the Prime Minister’s vision of integrating faith, tourism, and development.”
