Passengers travelling from Tamil Nadu to Bihar for Chhath Puja have received additional train options as Southern Railway has announced three special express services to manage the festive rush.
The services will connect Chennai and Podanur in Coimbatore with Darbhanga, Barauni and Raxaul in Bihar.
The special trains are intended to help passengers travelling home for the festival, when demand for long-distance railway journeys increases.
The announcement includes two one-way services and one train with a return journey.
Chhath Special Trains: Check the Schedule
Southern Railway has announced three special services connecting important railway stations in Tamil Nadu with destinations in Bihar.
The Chennai Central-Darbhanga Express Special will depart from Dr MGR Chennai Central at 11:00 AM on November 11, 2026.
It is scheduled to reach Darbhanga at 1:00 PM on the third day of its journey.
The return service will leave Darbhanga at 3:00 PM on Saturday, November 14, and reach Dr MGR Chennai Central at 3:45 PM on Monday.
Another service, the Chennai Central-Barauni One-Way Express Special, will depart from Chennai Central at 11:50 PM on November 11. It is scheduled to arrive at Barauni at 8:00 PM on Friday.
Passengers travelling from western Tamil Nadu will also have an additional option through the Podanur-Raxaul One-Way Express Special.
This train will depart from Podanur at 8:20 PM on November 11 and is scheduled to reach Raxaul at noon on Saturday.
Major Stations Covered by the Special Trains
The Podanur-Raxaul service will cover several important stations in Tamil Nadu, including Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem and Katpadi.
The special trains will also pass through Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, providing connectivity to passengers travelling across multiple states.
Important stations along the routes include Vijayawada, Duvvada, Vizianagaram, Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kharagpur, Asansol, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Barauni and Samastipur.
These stoppages will provide additional travel options for passengers from different regions who need to reach Bihar during the festival period.
Different Coach Facilities for Passengers
Southern Railway has arranged different categories of coaches to accommodate passengers with varying travel requirements.
The special trains will include AC two-tier, AC three-tier, economy AC, sleeper class, general second-class and chair car coaches.
The arrangements will also include specially designed second-class coaches for passengers with disabilities, along with luggage-cum-brake vans.
The mix of travel classes is intended to provide options for passengers looking for different levels of comfort and affordability during their journeys.
Why Southern Railway Announced Chhath Special Trains
Chhath Puja is an important festival celebrated with particular significance in Bihar and several other parts of northern and eastern India.
Many people working or living in other states travel to their hometowns to celebrate the occasion with their families.
This seasonal movement can increase demand for long-distance trains, particularly on routes connecting major cities with Bihar.
The newly announced services from Chennai and Podanur are aimed at accommodating some of this additional passenger demand.
For travellers planning their journeys, checking the latest train timings, stoppages and ticket availability before departure will be important.
