With the assembly election in Uttar Pradesh coming up in March, Lord Ram, it appears, is at the centre of the political season.
A few days ago, we saw the Uttar Pradesh chief minister receive the rock on which Sita is said to have sat in Lanka after she was abducted by Ravan as it was borne by monks from the island.
Then came the renaming of the Faizabad railway station as Ayodhya Cantt.
Now comes news that the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation has introduced luxury trains that offer passengers a Ramayana Yatra.
These luxury trains will run during November and December. The 17-day pilgrimage tour will include nine stops at destinations relevant to Lord Ram.
Please click on the images for a better look at the Ramayana train's inaugural journey.
IMAGE: The journey begins. Passengers capture their red carpet welcome at the Safdarjung railway station in New Delhi, November 7, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Artistes dressed up as Lord Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman are worshipped before the train departs. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Masked servers, dressed in traditional saffron, are ready for the passengers in the train's dining car. Photograph: PTI Photo
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
