Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan flagged off the Sambalpur-Darshan Nagar-Sambalpur Astha Special Train from Sambalpur railway station in Odisha. The train, intended to carry 1512 devotees from Sambalpur to Darshan Nagar, marks a significant event in the region. The initiative comes after Prime Minister Modi’s involvement in the 11-day ‘anushthan’, culminating in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony on January 22, which ended a 500-year wait. The newly-built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has sparked enthusiasm nationwide, prompting the organization of special trains to facilitate devotees’ pilgrimage.

Praising the initiative, Pradhan expressed gratitude to the Railways for providing 20 sleeper coaches for the journey, which will allow devotees from western Odisha to visit and pay their respects to Ram Lalla. The train’s route includes stops at Jharsuguda, Rourkela, and neighboring areas in Jharkhand before reaching Ayodhya. Speaking to reporters at the Sambalpur railway station, Pradhan emphasized the significance of the journey and expressed his intention to meet and seek blessings from the people of western Odisha traveling on the train. He also mentioned his desire to have darshan of Ram Lalla through their pilgrimage.