Train ride showcasing landmarks linked to Shivaji Maharaj's life to start from June 9

Mumbai: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on Thursday said the first `Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Circuit Tour' by the Bharat Gaurav tourist train will start from June 9 to mark the 350th anniversary of the iconic Maratha ruler's coronation.

Gaurav Jha, group general manager of IRCTC's West Zone, said the tour spanning five nights and six days will showcase the legacy and landmarks associated with Shivaji Maharaj.

Shivaji Maharaj was crowned as Chhatrapati (king) on June 6, 1674, at Raigad Fort, his capital.

The train with seven sleeper coaches, three AC ones and a pantry car will begin its journey from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) here on June 9 and can accommodate 748 passengers.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced the tour last month.

Along with IRCTC, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Government of Maharashtra are promoting the tour, which has already received six bookings.

They have already received over 150 leads, most of them from outside Maharashtra, IRCTC officials said.

Jha said the tour was initially planned for 10 days, but was shortened as people have difficulty getting a leave for so many days. A longer duration also increased the cost, he said, adding that the schedule can be tweaked in the future.

"Depending upon response, we will repeat the tour again and again," Jha said.

It will cover four major forts of Shivaji's state, namely Raigad, Shivneri, Pratapgad and Panhala.

On day one, the train will reach Mangaon in Raigad district, south of Mumbai, from where the passengers will be taken by bus to Raigad Fort.

Next day, the train will reach Pune, from where they will be taken by bus to Shivaji Maharaj's birth place, Shivneri Fort in Junnar, and also Bhimashankar, a famous religious place.

On day four, the train will reach Satara from where the tourists will be taken to Pratapgad Fort near Mahabaleshwar. The journey will end on the fifth day in Kolhapur, where the tourists will be taken to Panhala Fort and the Mahalaxmi temple.

A five percent discount is also on offer for the first 100 bookings.