Diwali & Chhath Special Trains 2026: Routes, Dates, Timings & Booking Guide

Planning to travel home for Diwali or Chhath Puja 2026?

You are not alone.

Every year, the festive season creates one of the biggest travel rushes in India. Regular trains fill up quickly, waiting lists become longer, and finding a confirmed ticket can become difficult.

To handle this extra demand, Indian Railways has announced a large number of special train services for the 2026 festive season, covering routes across different parts of India. A published railway list contains 102 festival special train services, while individual railway zones have announced additional services and trips of their own.

In this guide, we will explain the important Diwali and Chhath special trains for 2026, major routes, booking tips, and what you should check before travelling.

Important: Special train schedules can change. Always verify the latest train number, date, timing, stoppages and seat availability through official railway sources before travelling.

Quick Answer: What Are Diwali & Chhath Special Trains 2026?

Indian Railways operates additional trains during the festive season to manage the huge increase in passenger demand.

The published 2026 festival list contains 102 special train services, with UP and DOWN services listed separately. However, this does not represent every festive trip across the entire Indian Railways network. Different railway zones may announce additional trains and multiple trips.

This is why you may see different numbers reported in different news articles.

For travellers, the important thing is not just the total number.

The important question is:

Is there a special train available for my route and travel date?

When Is Diwali 2026?

Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, November 8.

Chhath Puja is celebrated over several days, with the main Chhath day falling on November 15, 2026.

This means railway demand is likely to be particularly high from late October through the first half of November.

If you are travelling to your hometown, do not plan only the journey before Diwali.

The return journey after Diwali and Chhath can be equally difficult.

Major Diwali & Chhath Special Train Routes in 2026

Indian Railways has announced special services covering several important travel corridors.

Here are some of the routes travellers should know about.

1. Kanpur Central – Asarva Special

The Kanpur Central-Asarva special connects Uttar Pradesh with Gujarat during the festive period.

This can be useful for travellers moving between North India and Gujarat when regular trains are heavily booked.

Before booking, check the exact operating date and train number because special services may run only on selected dates.

2. Agra Cantt – Udhna Special

The Agra Cantt-Udhna special provides another festive travel option between North India and Gujarat.

For travellers from the Agra region, an additional service can be especially useful when regular trains have limited availability.

If you are planning a North India trip around the same period, you can also explore our Mathura Vrindavan Itinerary for practical 1, 2 and 3-day travel planning.

3. Prayagraj – Udhna Special

The Prayagraj-Udhna special is another important North India-Gujarat connection during the festive period.

Travellers should compare this service with regular trains before deciding which option works best.

If you are travelling through Uttar Pradesh for a longer holiday rather than only visiting family, our Mathura travel guide can also help you plan what to see around the Braj region.

4. Mumbai – Chennai Special Train

A festive special service between Mumbai and Chennai has also been announced.

The route connects major cities and several important stations in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

For travellers making a longer South India journey, this can be an alternative when regular trains are full.

If your trip continues beyond Chennai or Bengaluru, compare the complete journey rather than booking the first available train.

5. Mumbai – Latur Special Train

The CSMT Mumbai-Latur special is designed to provide additional capacity during the festive rush.

The route serves important stations including Pune and other destinations towards Marathwada.

This can be useful for travellers returning to their hometowns during Diwali when regular services may have limited availability.

6. Kolhapur – Kalaburagi Special

A special service between Kolhapur and Kalaburagi is another option for travellers in Maharashtra and Karnataka.

Important stops include areas around:

• Kolhapur
• Miraj
• Sangola
• Pandharpur
• Kurduwadi
• Solapur
• Kalaburagi

If you are travelling through Karnataka during the festive period, do not look only at flights or buses. Check whether a special railway service makes the journey easier.

7. Hatia – SMVT Bengaluru Special Train

This is one of the more interesting festive services for Bengaluru travellers.

The Hatia-SMVT Bengaluru Puja Special connects eastern India with Bengaluru and passes through several important stations.

The route includes places such as:

• Rourkela
• Sambalpur
• Rayagada
• Vijayawada
• Renigunta
• Krishnarajapuram
• SMVT Bengaluru

For people travelling between Bengaluru and eastern India, this can be a useful additional option during the festive rush.

And if you are travelling from Bengaluru for a separate holiday after the festival, our Ooty 1, 2 & 3-Day Itinerary can help you plan a short South India escape.

You can also check our detailed Ooty places-to-visit guide before deciding which attractions fit your available time.

8. Charlapalli – SMVT Bengaluru Special

The Charlapalli-SMVT Bengaluru special provides another festive travel option for passengers travelling between Telangana and Karnataka.

If regular services are unavailable, always search nearby stations as well.

For Bengaluru travellers, this can sometimes open up more options than searching only one station.

9. Mysuru – Rameswaram Special

The Mysuru-Rameswaram special is another useful service for South India travellers during the festive period.

The route connects Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and can be useful for travellers planning a pilgrimage or holiday around the festival season.

If you are planning a South India trip rather than simply travelling home, consider building your journey around destinations instead of individual train routes.

10. Mumbai – Azamgarh Special

A special weekly service between Mumbai and Azamgarh provides another important option for travellers heading towards eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The route covers several important cities and railway stations along the way.

For passengers travelling from Mumbai to Uttar Pradesh during Diwali or Chhath, it is worth checking this service alongside regular trains.

Kolkata, North Bengal & Assam Special Trains

Eastern India also receives additional festive railway connectivity.

Special services have been announced connecting Kolkata with destinations including New Jalpaiguri and extending towards Assam.

This can be particularly useful for people travelling towards:

• North Bengal
• Darjeeling region
• Assam
• Northeast India

If you are planning a Northeast holiday after the festival, AlarTravels also has a detailed Arunachal Pradesh itinerary covering 7, 10 and 14-day travel plans.

For a longer Himalayan road trip, you can also explore our Spiti Valley itinerary.

How to Book Diwali & Chhath Special Trains 2026

The safest option is to check and book your eligible railway ticket through the official IRCTC system.

Step 1: Log in to IRCTC

Open the official railway booking platform and enter your journey details.

Step 2: Enter your route

Enter:

• From station
• To station
• Journey date
• Class
• Quota

Step 3: Search for trains

Compare both regular and special trains.

Don’t assume that a special train will always be cheaper or faster.

Check:

• Train number
• Departure
• Arrival
• Stoppages
• Class
• Fare
• Seat availability

Step 4: Check the date carefully

This is extremely important.

Many festival special trains do not operate every day.

A train may be available on one date but completely absent on the next.

Step 5: Complete the booking

Enter passenger details, select the available class and complete payment.

Save your e-ticket details after booking.

What If Your Train Is Fully Booked?

Don’t stop after checking one train.

Try:

Different date → Different train → Nearby station → Special train → Tatkal, if applicable

For example, if the preferred station has no availability, check nearby boarding stations.

You can also compare one day before and one day after your original travel date.

During Diwali and Chhath, flexibility can make a huge difference.

Tatkal Booking for Diwali & Chhath Travel

Tatkal can be useful if you could not get a confirmed ticket through normal booking.

IRCTC’s general Tatkal rules state that booking opens one day before the journey date from the train’s originating station, with AC and non-AC classes having different opening times.

However, rules and eligibility can vary by service.

So check the current IRCTC information before depending on Tatkal.

Most importantly:

Do not make Tatkal your first plan during Diwali.

Festival demand can be extremely high.

Diwali & Chhath Train Booking Tips

1. Check Early

If your dates are fixed, start checking as early as possible.

2. Book the Return Journey Too

Many travellers focus only on reaching home.

The return journey can be just as difficult.

If your dates are known, plan both directions.

3. Search Nearby Stations

A nearby station may have availability even when your preferred station does not.

4. Compare Multiple Dates

Try:

• One day earlier
• Your preferred date
• One day later

This small change can sometimes make ticket availability much better.

5. Check Special Trains Regularly

Additional services can be announced later.

So don’t check only once.

6. Verify Before Travelling

A schedule seen on social media is not enough.

Check the latest official railway information before leaving home.

What If You Are Travelling for a Holiday Instead of Going Home?

Not everyone travels during Diwali and Chhath to visit family.

Some people use the long festive period for a holiday.

If you are planning a longer trip, consider choosing the destination first and then checking the best transport option.

For example:

Bengaluru → Ooty

Kolkata → Bakkhali

Delhi → Mathura/Vrindavan

Kolkata → Northeast

For a quick coastal escape from Kolkata, you can also check our Bakkhali Travel Guide, which covers places, route and itinerary planning.

The idea is simple:

Don’t choose a train first and then decide where to go. Choose the trip first, then find the best train.

Planning a Longer Trip After Diwali?

The festive season can also be a good time to plan a November or December holiday.

If you are thinking about a Himalayan trip, AlarTravels has a detailed Leh Ladakh itinerary for 2026 covering different trip durations.

For December travel ideas, you can also explore our guide to the best places to visit in December.

This is particularly useful if your Diwali trip is short but you are already thinking about your next holiday.

Final Takeaway

Diwali and Chhath are among the busiest travel periods in India.

Indian Railways has added a large number of special services to handle the festive rush, with additional trains and trips announced by different railway zones.

The most important thing is not simply knowing that special trains exist.

You need to check:

• Your exact route
• Your travel date
• Train number
• Operating days
• Departure and arrival time
• Seat availability
• Latest railway updates

If your dates are flexible, use that flexibility.

If your dates are fixed, start checking early.

And don’t forget your return journey.

A little planning can save you from long waiting lists, expensive last-minute alternatives and unnecessary travel stress.

Planning a Trip Around Your Own Dates and Budget?

Finding a train is only one part of planning a trip.

You may also need to decide where to stay, what to see, how many days you need and how to arrange the route without wasting time.

If you already know your destination but don’t want to spend hours planning everything yourself, AlarTravels can create a personalised travel plan around your dates, budget and travel style.

You can request your plan through our Custom Trip Planner.

Frequently Asked Questions