Kashi Vishwanath, Triveni Sangam and Mahabodhi Temple in one trip: IRCTC’s new yatra explained

IRCTC Tourism has unveiled the Ganga Gaya Sangam Yatra — a seven-night, eight-day pilgrimage package departing from Hyderabad on September 2, 2026, covering Gaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Lucknow and Naimisharanya across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

The journey begins with a flight from Hyderabad to Gaya via Kolkata. Travellers visit the iconic Mahabodhi Temple and nearby Buddhist monasteries before the first overnight stay — a serene introduction to one of Buddhism's holiest destinations.

Day 2 covers Gaya's celebrated Hindu pilgrimage sites — the Vishnu Padam Temple and the Mangala Gauri Shaktipeeth — before a six-to-seven-hour road journey to Varanasi, where pilgrims will stay for three nights.

Varanasi forms the heart of the itinerary — with visits to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, ancient ghats, the mesmerising Ganga Aarti and a dedicated day trip to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon.

From Varanasi, the pilgrimage moves to Prayagraj — the Alopi Devi Temple and the sacred Triveni Sangam — before an overnight stay in Ayodhya, with a full day dedicated to exploring its important temple precincts.

While staying in Lucknow, travellers visit Naimisharanya — one of Hinduism's oldest pilgrimage centres — before returning to explore the historic Bara Imambara. An evening flight from Lucknow returns passengers to Hyderabad on the final day.

The package is priced at ₹54,800 for single occupancy, ₹41,000 per person on twin sharing and ₹38,750 per person on triple sharing. Included: return flights, seven nights' accommodation, seven breakfasts, seven dinners, one lunch, AC transport, travel insurance and an IRCTC tour escort throughout. (AI generated representative image)