From 9 September 2025, passengers can book train tickets for travel till 8 November 2025 (Friday).
This means people going to Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh can now confirm their seats in advance.
The good news is that passengers can now book both onward and return tickets in advance, making travel easier during the festive season.
Dates of Diwali and Chhath 2025
Diwali will be celebrated on 21 October 2025 (Tuesday).
After this, the big folk festival of Bihar and eastern UP, Chhath Mahaparva, will begin with Nahai-Khai on 25 October (Sunday) and end with Arghya to the rising sun on 28 October (Wednesday).
These dates usually see the maximum rush of passengers, which is why ticket demand is always very high around this time.
Railways’ Special Arrangements for Passengers
Every year, lakhs of people travel back to Bihar and eastern UP from metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad for Diwali-Chhath.
Major stations such as Patna, Ara, Buxar, Danapur, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Bhagalpur, Siwan, Chhapra, and Samastipur face huge crowds.
To handle this rush, Indian Railways will:
Add extra coaches in regular trains
Run several festival special trains
Trains from Delhi and Mumbai to Patna and Banaras usually face the most pressure. A large number of passengers also travel from Ahmedabad, Surat, Pune, and Bengaluru.
Railway sources confirmed that extra trains will be announced on these routes this year as well.
Relief for Return Journey
One of the biggest problems during festivals is getting a return ticket. Usually, passengers manage to book tickets to Bihar/UP but face trouble coming back after Chhath.
This time, Railways has solved the issue — people can now book return tickets after 29 October in advance. This will help them avoid last-minute rush and high ticket prices.
Why Booking Early Is Important
Experience from past years shows that 30–40 days before Diwali-Chhath, trains going to Bihar and eastern UP already have long waiting lists, sometimes crossing 500 passengers.
So, booking tickets on time is the only way to ensure a confirmed seat.
Airlines Also Preparing for the Rush
Not just trains, but air travel also becomes very expensive during festivals. Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to Patna, Gaya, and Varanasi see a sudden jump in fares.
Airline companies are planning to run additional flights, but passengers can get cheaper rates only if they book tickets early.
