Panji: The inaugural Aastha train departed from Goa en route to Ayodhya on Monday, carrying approximately 2000 passengers. Present to bid farewell were the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Rajya Sabha MP, local leaders, and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Speaking to ANI, Chief Minister Sawant announced that the entire Goa Cabinet of Ministers would visit Ram Mandir on February 15.
"The first Aastha train from Goa to Ayodhya has commenced its journey. Organized by the BJP, this train is facilitating the pilgrimage of Goans to Ayodhya. Alongside our party's state president, Rajya Sabha MP, and local leaders, I am here to bid farewell to the passengers embarking on this journey. Approximately 2000 people from Goa are traveling to Ayodhya today. On the 15th of this month, we will visit Ram Lalla with the entire Goa Cabinet and the people of Goa. It is an auspicious occasion for us as we embark on this pilgrimage together," Chief Minister Sawant stated.
Earlier, on Sunday, Union Minister of State for Railways, Darshana Jardosh, flagged off the Surat to Ayodhya Dham Special Tourist 'Aastha' train from Surat Central Railway Station.
Meanwhile, a significant number of Lord Ram devotees boarded an Aastha Special Train from Jalandhar on Friday. Another Aastha special train commenced its journey from the Kochuveli railway station in Thiruvananthapuram at 10 am on Friday.
Indian Railways is operating over 200 Aastha special trains from various cities, tier 1, and tier 2 towns across India to facilitate devotees' visit to Ayodhya for darshan of Ram Lalla at the newly-built Ram Mandir. Each Aastha train comprises 20 sleeper coaches, accommodating around 1,400 passengers per train.
Since the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Ram Lalla at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, a significant influx of devotees has been observed visiting the temple.
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