Chandigarh – Katra rail link – A call from ‘Mata’ to devotees.

“Chalo Bulawa aaya hai, Mata ne bulaya hai.” This devotional song has gone true for thousand of devotees of Mata in Chandigarh region as Indian Railways has recently started direct rail link between Kalka and Shri Mata Vaisnoo Devi Katra. The train directly links Himachal, Panchkula, Chandigarh, Mohali and other major cities and town in the region with Katra – Gateway of Mata Vaishnoo Devi Shrine. The service had been a long demand for the people of the region who had to rely on buses, private taxis and other sources to reach at Mata’s shrine. People always faced lots of inconvenience to reach Katra through buses as it’s a long journey making the travel difficult for those travelling with ladies and children.

Katra, situated at around 450 Kilometers from Chandigarh is the point of walking track of 13 kilometers to the shrine. But people felt energy less and exhausted in the travel which would make walking difficult for the devotees. But now devotees have very comfortable and less costly source to reach at their destination.

The train number 14503, Kalka – Karta Express travels biweekly from Kalka on Tuesdays and Fridays with departure time from Kalka at 7 PM and arrival time at Katra at 4:45 AM next day. The train leaves from Katra on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:30 PM and arrives at Kalka at 7:50 AM next day.

The stoppages of train are – Chandigarh, SAS Nagar Mohali, New Morinda, Ludhiana, Jallandhar, Pathankot, Jammu, Udhampur and journey ends at Katra. The train comprises of total 16 coaches with one 2 Tier AC, two 3 Tier AC, five sleeper class, six general class and two SLR coaches. Railways has considered all categories of passengers in this train to ease travel for all. Schedule of train is available at link – http://www.indianrail.gov.in

The fare and other services related information can be obtained from official website of Indian Railways – www.irctc.co.in. Reservations can also be made on this website by the registered users of the site.

It was a long demand from the people of the region to start the train from Chandigarh to Katra and by starting this service railways have made a dream true for the devotees of the region. All the best to Indian Railways to maintain it’s services and providing good facilities to the devotees. Jai Mata Di………!