Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) conceived as an extended arm of the Indian Railways has been instrumental in promoting both domestic and international tourism since the last couple of years. Bharat Gaurav Tourist Trains have been the recent addition to the repertoire of tourism offerings. As a part of this, IRCTC has been operating this one of a kind, 12 Jyotirlinga Ram Katha Yatra, which has brought together, close to a thousand devotees.
Today is a very special day, as the Yatra comes to a successful completion, the end of a very meaningful trip that brought together people from all over India in a journey of faith. This tour was spearheaded by Pujya Morari Bapu, a renowned exponent of the Ram Charit Manas who has been reciting Ram Katha for over the last fifty years throughout the world.
The 18 nights/19 days journey began on July 22, 2023 at Rishikesh and covered a distance of around 12,000 kilometers and included the visit of the sacred 12 Jyotirlinga temples spread across India, along with the dhams, that are visited by millions each year. The long and rigorous journey lasting over 19 days is finally coming to a closure, where the pilgrims will be back to their homes with an enlightened mind and a strong feeling of togetherness, peace, and respect.
This tour, or rather the pilgrimage guided by the deep insight of Pujya Morari Bapu, with his unique goal of spreading the teachings of Lord Ram and in turn to promote important values of life like upholding truth, and messages of love and brotherhood was arranged by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd. (IRCTC) under the guidance of Indian Railways. This significant journey represents the core values of Sanatana Dharma and acted as a unifying force that brings different parts of India together.
This holy journey traversed through hallowed sites of Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Uttar Pradesh, Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Jharkhand, Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga in Andhra Pradesh, Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga in Tamil Nadu, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga, Trambakeshwar Jyotirlinga, and Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra, Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Madhya Pradesh, and Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gujarat. Additionally, this journey’s path also included halts at the revered dhams at Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarka.
A festive atmosphere enveloped the special trains throughout the pilgrimage, as devotees congregated to chant prayers, sing hymns, and participate in various rituals, creating a vibrant and uplifting ambiance. The voyage was transformative for participants, strengthening their spiritual connections. They also shared anecdotes and testimonials from past experiences of Morari Bapu’s Ram Katha discourses. Speaking from Talgajarda on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 Morari Bapu expressed his joy at the Jyotirlinga Ramkatha yatra’s smooth and incident-free progress, attributing its success to the blessings of the divine. He highlighted the yatra’s accomplishment in fostering unity, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage, and connecting devotees from diverse backgrounds and regions. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated volunteers who contributed to the yatra’s success.
