As Holi 2026 approaches (Holi falls on Wednesday, 4 March), indian Railways has ramped up services to help passengers travel home comfortably and manage the massive surge in demand — especially on routes connecting UP and Bihar with major cities.
📅 Record‑High holi Special Trains in March
Indian Railways is running a record number of holi Special Trains in march 2026, the largest ever for the festival:
- Over 1,400 holi special trains are being operated across the country throughout march to manage the festive rush. This number could increase up to 1,500 trains depending on demand.
- These trains connect major travel corridors, including routes to and from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar — such as Delhi–UP, Bihar–UP, and connections from other states.
These special trains are meant to ease crowding, offer more options to travellers, and reduce long waiting lists in regular services.
🚆 UP & Bihar‑Linked holi Special Trains to Know
✨ 1. Zone‑Wide holi Specials
Railways are operating hundreds of trains that serve or pass through UP and bihar stations in March:
- Routes connecting Bihar cities like Patna, Katihar, Muzaffarpur, Jaynagar with other states are getting extra services to address heavy travel demand.
- Multiple holi special pairs run between important junctions like Narangi–Gorakhpur, Dibrugarh–Jaynagar, New Jalpaiguri–Muzaffarpur and more.
These trains help passengers from UP and bihar regions return home from distant cities for holi and travel back after celebrations.
📍 5 More holi Specials Added by ECR
The East Central Railway (ECR) — which serves key bihar routes — has announced five more holi special trains in addition to ones already running.
Routes include:
- Jabalpur ↔ Danapur
- Rani Kamlapati (Bhopal) ↔ Danapur
- Kota ↔ Danapur
- Gaya ↔ anand Vihar
- Jalna ↔ Patna
These help connect bihar with central india and northern regions for holi travel.
🚆 From ranchi to UP/Bihar
The Ranchi railway division has also introduced Holi special trains running to:
- Jaynagar (Bihar)
- Gorakhpur (UP)
These are timed to help passengers from Jharkhand and neighbouring regions reach home for the festival.
📌 Tickets & Travel Tips Before You Go
🎫 Book Early
Holi is one of the busiest travel periods of the year — many trains fill up weeks in advance, and waiting lists grow quickly on key routes to UP and Bihar.
You can:
- Book via the IRCTC app or website
- Check train availability and PNR status frequently
- Consider Tatkal or Premium Tatkal bookings if regular quotas are full
📍 Check Official Timetables
The exact train numbers, departure times, stops and running dates vary by route and railway zone. Use:
- Indian Railways official websites
- IRCTC ticket portals
- Station enquiry counters
to confirm schedules before departure.
📅 Travel Window
Most holi special trains operate throughout March, covering the period before, during and shortly after holi to accommodate outbound and return journeys.
🌟 Summary: holi train services for UP & Bihar
- 🚆 indian Railways is running 1,400+ holi special trains in march 2026 to manage high travel demand.
- 🚆 Special services connecting UP and Bihar are part of this major rollout — many trains serve important stations like Patna, Gorakhpur, Danapur and Jaynagar.
- 🎫 Tickets sell out fast — book early and check real‑time schedules before you depart.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
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