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The Mahaparinirvan Express, also known as the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train, is a dedicated pilgrimage train that winds its way through some of the most spiritually significant Buddhist destinations across India and Nepal. Over the course of eight days, the journey takes travellers to sacred sites including Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar, and Sravasti. Since it first set off in 2007, the train has earned a loyal following among both devout pilgrims and curious travellers, thanks to its well-thought-out itinerary and comfortable facilities.
About the Train
The Mahaparinirvan Express is built with passenger comfort firmly in mind. The train consists of 12 modern LHB coaches, made up of four First AC coaches, two Second AC coaches, two dining cars, one kitchen car, one staff car, and two power cars. The First AC coaches are particularly well-appointed, featuring individual lockers, fixed ladders, exhaust systems, refrigerators, and bathrooms complete with showers and geysers. There’s even a mini library and an onboard kitchen and restaurant, so guests are well looked after throughout the ride.
Accommodation
The accommodation options on board cater to different preferences and budgets. Passengers can choose from three categories — First AC, First Class Coupe, and AC 2 Tier Sleeper. The First AC coaches offer air-conditioned deluxe cabins with either two or four berths, providing a more private and enclosed setting. The AC 2 Tier option features air-conditioned coaches where berths are arranged across two levels and separated by curtains, offering a comfortable and practical setup for the journey.
Facilities
IRCTC has put considerable thought into making life on board genuinely pleasant rather than just functional. The onboard lavatories are spacious and fitted with shower cubicles offering both hot and cold running water, alongside Western-style toilets that are clean and comfortable. Two fine dining restaurants serve up a variety of cuisines, so mealtimes are something to look forward to rather than merely get through.
Beyond the basics, the train also offers a few thoughtful extras. Security is taken seriously, with guards on duty and CCTV cameras running throughout the journey, giving passengers genuine peace of mind. For those who enjoy a quiet moment between destinations, there’s a mini library stocked with reading material. And after a long day of walking through ancient sites, the onboard foot massager is a welcome touch that more than a few travellers will appreciate.
The Palace on Wheels runs its seasonal journeys from September through April each year. Every Wednesday, the train sets off from Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi on its designated travel dates. Passengers are kindly asked to arrive at the station for check-in, which opens at 4 pm ahead of the train’s onward journey.
To secure your spot, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and reserve your tickets at least three months before your preferred departure. Simply pick a date that works for you to head over to the booking page, and fill in your travel details to get your reservation underway.
If you have something special in mind — be it a wedding celebration, a corporate getaway, or any other private occasion — the Palace on Wheels can be exclusively chartered to suit your requirements. Feel free to reach out to the team directly for more information on custom arrangements.
| Month/Year | 2026 | 2027 |
| January | 3 | 2 |
| February | 21 | 20 |
| March | 21 | 20 |
| October | 24 | – |
| November | 21 | – |
| December | 19 | – |
Your journey begins at Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station, where passengers are asked to assemble by 1:00 pm to board the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train. The train pulls out of Delhi at 2:30 pm, heading toward Gaya. As the city gives way to the open countryside, dinner is served on board, and the train continues through the night toward its first destination.
The morning starts gently with early tea, followed by time to freshen up and enjoy breakfast on the train before arriving at Gaya. From there, coaches take you the short distance to Bodhgaya, where you’ll check into the hotel and sit down to a relaxed lunch. The afternoon is devoted to sightseeing — the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple, the tranquil banks of the Niranjana River, and a series of international temples including the Thai Temple and Japanese Temple, all set against the backdrop of a towering Buddha statue. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel round off a spiritually rich first day on the ground.
After breakfast at the hotel, you check out and make your way by coach to Rajgir, a place steeped in Buddhist history. Sightseeing here takes in Bimbisara Jail, the sacred Gridhakut Hill, and the peaceful Venuvan bamboo grove. Lunch is served at a local hotel before the group moves on to Nalanda, where the ruins of the once-legendary Nalanda University and the adjoining museum offer a fascinating window into ancient scholarship and Buddhist learning. By evening, coaches head back to Gaya Railway Station, where everyone boards the train again. Dinner is served on board as the train makes its way through the night to Varanasi.
Early morning tea is served as the train pulls into Varanasi, with breakfast following on board. The group disembarks and heads to Sarnath, just ten kilometres away — the very place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Highlights include the Dhamekh Stupa, the Sarnath Museum, the Ashokan Pillar, and the serene Mulgandha Kuti Vihar. After checking into the hotel for lunch and a chance to freshen up, the evening brings one of the journey’s most atmospheric moments — a visit to the ghats of the River Ganges to witness the ancient evening Aarti ceremony. The group then returns to the station, where dinner is served on board and the train sets off toward Nautanwa, the gateway to Lumbini in Nepal.
Morning tea and breakfast are enjoyed on the train before arriving at Nautanwa Railway Station. Coaches then take the group across the border into Nepal toward Lumbini — the birthplace of the Buddha. Travellers should have their passports and visas ready at this point; those without a pre-arranged Nepal visa should carry passport photographs and the applicable visa fee. After checking into the hotel and having lunch, the afternoon is spent exploring Lumbini’s most sacred corners — the Maya Devi Temple, believed to mark the exact spot of the Buddha’s birth, and the ancient Ashokan Pillar. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel complete the day.
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by check-out and a coach journey to Kushinagar — the place where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, his final passing. Lunch is served upon arrival, and the afternoon is given over to visiting the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple, and other significant sites in the area. Coaches then carry the group to Gorakhpur Railway Station, where the train awaits. Dinner is served on board as the journey continues through the night toward Balrampur, the base for the next day’s visit to Sravasti.
The train arrives at Balrampur early in the morning, with tea served on board. Coaches depart for Sravasti, around 15 kilometres away — a place closely associated with the Buddha’s teachings, where he is said to have spent many monsoon retreats. After freshening up and having breakfast at the hotel, the group explores Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti, and the ancient site of Sehat Mahet. Lunch is followed by some free time before the group makes its way back to Balrampur Railway Station. As the train departs for Agra — a journey of around 450 kilometres — dinner is served on board for a relaxed evening ride.
The train arrives at Agra City Railway Station in the early morning hours. After freshening up and having breakfast on board, the group sets out for the crowning moment of the journey — a visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the most recognised monuments in the world. Following the visit, coaches transfer everyone to Agra Cantonment Railway Station, where the train departs for New Delhi, covering the final 220 kilometres of the trip. Lunch is served on board, and evening tea is enjoyed as the train approaches the capital. The journey draws to a close upon arrival at Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station, bringing eight remarkable days of spiritual discovery and cultural immersion to a memorable end.
In the Mahaparinirvan Sutra, the Buddha himself spoke of four places that hold profound significance for every follower — Lumbini, where he was born; Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment; Sarnath, where he first shared his teachings; and Kushinagar, where he passed into Nirvana. Visiting these sacred sites, he said, was a path toward merit and a higher rebirth.
The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train brings all four of these destinations — and more — within reach of a single, connected journey. Rather than simply reading about the Buddha’s life, you get to stand in the very places where it unfolded, absorbing the stillness and spiritual weight that centuries of devotion have left behind.
India, as the birthplace of Buddhism, carries this legacy in its stones and soil. The art and architecture born from this tradition were never about grandeur for its own sake — Stupas built to honour the Buddha’s relics, Chaityas serving as quiet halls of prayer, and Viharas offering simple shelter for monks on the path — all of it shaped by a philosophy of simplicity and purpose. The Buddhist Train takes you to these sites not just as a tourist, but as someone genuinely engaging with one of the world’s great spiritual traditions.
Come aboard and let the journey carry you a little closer to the path of enlightenment.
Everything you need to know before booking India’s Buddhist Circuit Train Tour
The Mahaparinirvan Express is a specially curated luxury train tour that takes pilgrims and travelers on a sacred journey through India’s most significant Buddhist sites. The train covers the key destinations associated with the life, enlightenment, and teachings of Lord Buddha, including Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, and more.
Mahaparinirvan refers to the final passing (Parinirvana) of Lord Buddha — the liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The journey is designed to retrace the footsteps of the Buddha, culminating in a deeply spiritual and transformative experience.
The tour typically covers eight major Buddhist pilgrimage sites:
Lumbini (Nepal) – Birthplace of Buddha
Bodh Gaya – Site of Enlightenment
Sarnath – First sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta)
Kushinagar – Mahaparinirvana (Final resting place)
Shravasti – Where Buddha performed miracles
Rajgir – Where Buddha taught the Dharma
Nalanda – Ancient seat of Buddhist learning
Vaishali – Site of last sermon and beloved stupa
The Deccan Odyssey was originally a joint venture between Indian Railways and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). Today, the luxury train is operated by Cox & Kings India, one of the country’s most respected names in high-end travel.
The tour is open to all — Buddhist pilgrims, spiritual seekers, history enthusiasts, and curious travelers of any nationality or faith. There are no religious prerequisites to participate.
You can book directly through our website using the booking form on this page, or contact our travel desk via phone or email. Early booking is strongly recommended as seats fill up quickly, especially during peak pilgrimage season (October–March).
Yes, group bookings are available. Special discounts and customized arrangements may be offered for groups of 10 or more. Please contact us directly for group pricing and logistics.
The Mahaparinirvan Express offers multiple classes of accommodation:
AC First Class – Private cabins with premium bedding
AC 2-Tier – Comfortable berths ideal for small families or companions
AC 3-Tier – Economical yet comfortable option for solo travelers or budget-conscious pilgrims
Yes. All meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner — are included in the tour package. Meals are served on board the train and at designated restaurants at pilgrimage stops. Both vegetarian and Jain dietary options are available on request.
Wi-Fi connectivity may be available in select premium coaches. However, given the train’s movement through rural regions, connectivity can be intermittent. We recommend downloading offline maps and content before departure.
The standard Mahaparinirvan Express tour runs for approximately 8 nights / 9 days, covering all major Buddhist circuit destinations. Extended packages with additional cultural stops may also be available.
Yes. Expert English-speaking guides accompany the group at every destination. Commentary covers Buddhist history, significance of the site, and the life of the Buddha. Multilingual guides may be available upon advance request.
Lumbini, located in Nepal, is included in select tour packages. Indian nationals do not require a visa to visit Nepal. International travelers should check their visa requirements for Nepal in advance. Our team can provide assistance with border crossing formalities
Absolutely. The Mahaparinirvan Express is a well-monitored, group-based tour with dedicated staff and security arrangements. Solo female travelers are welcome and will find the environment respectful and supportive throughout the journey.
The ideal season is October to March, when the weather across the Buddhist circuit is cool and pleasant. The summer months (April–June) can be extremely hot, and the monsoon season (July–September) may cause travel disruptions.
The train typically departs from New Delhi (Safdarjung Railway Station). Some special departures may also originate from Mumbai. Please check the specific tour dates on our booking page for departure details.