<p>Unlike the usual pilgrimage packages that couples train travel with cab or bus, in a first such attempt, an air-cum-rail package will be clubbed with the cab trip this time. <br /><br />The maiden trip, with six passengers will begin on December 31 (Thursday) morning from Bengaluru airport. <br /><br />The four-day, three-night package will conclude on January 3, 2010. Launched in response to demand from pilgrims who have travelled on other pilgrim tours, the Vaishno Devi trip is planned as a regular weekly package, that will commence from Bangalore every Thursday. <br /><br />“IRCTC has entered into an agreement with Jet lite for the package,” said Chief Regional Manager of the South Western Railway Division of IRCTC, S Gagarin. Pilgrims will fly from Bangalore up to New Delhi, take a train to Jammu Tawi and then a cab to Baan Ganga in Katra, the point from where the 12-km climb to the temple begins. The yatri darshan slip would also be provided as part of the package. The shrine, one of the oldest in India, is located at a height of 5,300 feet on the holy Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Hill Range. <br /><br />The abode of the Goddess Shakti is in a cave that runs to a length of 100 feet which has to be reached through a narrow opening. <br /><br />Kand Kandoli and Raghunathji temples and Bhage Bahu garden would also be covered during the tour. A sight-seeing trip of tourist spots in New Delhi also figures in the trip. <br /><br /> The package works out to Rs 16,280 per person. The package is inclusive of economy class air travel and 3-tier a/c rail fare, apart from hotel accommodation and breakfast. <br />Those who require a cab pick-up from their residence to airport will have to pay an additional Rs 500. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Unlike the usual pilgrimage packages that couples train travel with cab or bus, in a first such attempt, an air-cum-rail package will be clubbed with the cab trip this time. <br /><br />The maiden trip, with six passengers will begin on December 31 (Thursday) morning from Bengaluru airport. <br /><br />The four-day, three-night package will conclude on January 3, 2010. Launched in response to demand from pilgrims who have travelled on other pilgrim tours, the Vaishno Devi trip is planned as a regular weekly package, that will commence from Bangalore every Thursday. <br /><br />“IRCTC has entered into an agreement with Jet lite for the package,” said Chief Regional Manager of the South Western Railway Division of IRCTC, S Gagarin. Pilgrims will fly from Bangalore up to New Delhi, take a train to Jammu Tawi and then a cab to Baan Ganga in Katra, the point from where the 12-km climb to the temple begins. The yatri darshan slip would also be provided as part of the package. The shrine, one of the oldest in India, is located at a height of 5,300 feet on the holy Trikuta Hills of the Shivalik Hill Range. <br /><br />The abode of the Goddess Shakti is in a cave that runs to a length of 100 feet which has to be reached through a narrow opening. <br /><br />Kand Kandoli and Raghunathji temples and Bhage Bahu garden would also be covered during the tour. A sight-seeing trip of tourist spots in New Delhi also figures in the trip. <br /><br /> The package works out to Rs 16,280 per person. The package is inclusive of economy class air travel and 3-tier a/c rail fare, apart from hotel accommodation and breakfast. <br />Those who require a cab pick-up from their residence to airport will have to pay an additional Rs 500. <br /><br /></p>