India Unveils Major Rail Expansion For Sabarimala Pilgrims As New Special Trains And Extended Routes Promise Smoother Travel During The Intense December January Rush

Published on December 4, 2025

India expanded its Sabarimala travel network this season because the December–January pilgrimage rush has surged to levels that demand stronger rail capacity and smoother passenger movement. With thousands of devotees preparing to travel to the hill shrine, South Central Railway has introduced special trains, extended key routes, and strengthened connectivity across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. The updated schedule offers more seats, better accessibility, and familiar halts, giving pilgrims a dependable way to navigate one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

South Central Railway is stepping up efforts to manage the rapid rise in Sabarimala-bound travel this season by deploying a new set of special trains and extending key routes that link Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with Kollam. With the December–January pilgrimage rush already building, the rail network is expanding capacity to make sure devotees reach the hill shrine with fewer delays and smoother connections.

Each year, tens of thousands of pilgrims travel from different parts of India to visit Sabarimala, creating one of the busiest travel windows for rail corridors in the southern region. To respond to this seasonal surge, South Central Railway is introducing six dedicated Sabarimala special trains while also extending two established services into early January 2026. Officials say this approach strengthens connectivity, reduces crowding, and keeps essential travel moving even during peak days.

The new schedule introduces a special train from Narsapur to Kollam on December 27. This service will operate as Train 07125, catering to large groups of travellers from coastal Andhra Pradesh who typically seek direct connections to the southern pilgrimage routes. Meanwhile, Charlapalli will send out two additional special trains on January 10 and 17 under Train 07127, helping distribute demand during the busiest weeks of the season.

Return journeys from Kollam have also been carefully planned. Train 07126 and Train 07128 will run on selected Mondays throughout December and January, giving pilgrims a reliable return option after completing their visit. These trains play an important role in easing congestion on south-north routes, which often face heavy pressure during festival and pilgrimage periods.

All special trains will operate with AC, sleeper, and general coaches, ensuring that travellers with different budgets can secure a seat. The coaches aim to balance comfort, accessibility, and affordability—qualities that are essential for long-distance pilgrimage travel. These trains will stop at major junctions that serve as critical transfer points, including Vijayawada, Renigunta, Chittoor, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Ernakulam Town. By retaining these halts, the network ensures that passengers from smaller cities and towns can join the route conveniently.

In addition to introducing new services, South Central Railway has taken a step further by extending two routes that have traditionally served the Sabarimala season. The Sirpur Kaghaznagar to Kollam route and the Kollam to Charlapalli service will now continue into early January 2026. The extensions follow the existing timing and halt patterns, avoiding confusion and ensuring that regular passengers do not need to adjust their travel plans. This decision reflects the continuing demand that peaks not only in December but also in the first half of January, when many pilgrims make their return journey.

The extended routes also help maintain a steady flow of trains through busy interstate corridors, which often operate near capacity during the final days of the year. By keeping these services running longer, railway planners aim to distribute traffic more evenly, reduce overcrowding at intermediate stations, and give passengers more flexibility when organising their trip.

The introduction of these special services highlights the railway’s focus on anticipating travel pressure rather than simply reacting to it. The December–January pilgrimage period places unique logistical demands on both infrastructure and scheduling, and the additional trains help fill critical gaps. Pilgrims often travel in large groups, carry luggage for extended stays, and prefer direct or minimal-change travel options. Special trains meet these requirements with more predictable timings and increased seating availability.

Railway authorities emphasise that these trains are part of a broader seasonal plan designed to keep travel safe and efficient. By coordinating halts, ensuring coach availability, and maintaining familiar schedules, the network aims to reduce last-minute travel stress for passengers heading to Sabarimala. The planning also supports crowd management, as predictable special services reduce the risk of overcrowding at major stations.

Travellers who plan to visit Sabarimala during this period are encouraged to book tickets early due to high seasonal demand. Special trains often fill quickly, especially on weekends and auspicious dates, and early bookings can help passengers avoid last-minute rushes or long waiting lists. With the expanded services now in place, passengers have more travel options, but demand remains strong across all routes.

India expanded its Sabarimala rail services because the December–January pilgrimage rush has grown too large for the existing network to handle smoothly. The new special trains and extended routes aim to ease congestion and give devotees a more reliable travel experience during the peak season.

By enhancing capacity and extending key routes, South Central Railway is working to make the pilgrimage journey more organised, comfortable, and reliable. As thousands prepare to travel over the next several weeks, the strengthened rail network is set to play a vital role in ensuring that the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage moves smoothly across the region.