The Manaskhand Express, a collaboration between UTDB and IRCTC, offers travellers a captivating experience, highlighting Uttarakhand’s undiscovered treasures and vibrant cultural traditions.
The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB), in collaboration with IRCTC, has launched the Manaskhand Express, an innovative train journey designed to reveal Uttarakhand’s hidden gems to the world. This initiative not only enhances connectivity but also provides travellers with an immersive experience of the state’s rich cultural heritage.
The ‘Manaskhand Express primary goal is to link different parts of India to Uttarakhand
In February 2024, UTDB signed an MoU with IRCTC, securing a dedicated 3AC train called the ‘Manaskhand Express,’ capable of accommodating 400 passengers.
According to Shri Sachin Kurve, Secretary of Tourism and CEO of UTDB, the primary goal is to link different parts of India to Uttarakhand through a comprehensive tour package provided by IRCTC. The tours last between 7 and 10 days, covering both famous and lesser-known destinations across the state.
The package includes train and road travel within the state, meals, sightseeing, accommodation, and local delicacies to promote the state’s cuisine. The first two journeys, originating from Pune, allowed guests to explore renowned sites such as Punagiri Temple, Nanakmatta Gurudwara, and Jageshwar Temple, along with hidden treasures like the Tea Gardens at Champawat, Haat Kalika Temple, and Patal Bhuvneshwar Temple.
In June 2024, another tour was launched from Madurai, focusing on the Shri Kartik Swami Temple in Rudraprayag and including stops at Rishikesh, Badrinath, and Kedarnath. A similar trip is planned from Mumbai in October 2024 with bookings available on www.irctctourism.com/bharatgaurav. Encouraged by the success of the Manaskhand Express, UTDB introduced the “Pitr Chaya Express,” a tour designed to allow Hindus to perform the sacred ritual of “Tarpan” for their ancestors during the Shradh/Pitr Paksha period.
This journey starts from Pune and covers Haridwar, Rishikesh, Panch Prayag, and Badrinath. The Pitr Chaya Express starting from Pune allows the visitors to offer Tarpan at Haridwar and the five Prayag’s (confluence) which lead to the formation of the Holy Ganga and finally at Brahm Kapal near Badrinath.
Another upcoming journey, the Ganga-Yamuna Express, will depart from Bhopal and travel through Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Mussoorie, and Hanol, focusing on key sites along the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. While Haridwar and Rishikesh are well-known for the Ganga, Kharsali serves as the winter seat of Yamunotri Dham.
Another highlight of the trip is the Mahasu Devta Temple in Hanol, Jaunsar Bhawar, where Lord Shiva is worshipped. It is also known for its wooden frescoes depicting local folklore.
Shri Kurve emphasized that the project is receiving a positive response, with tourists from across the country exploring these hidden gems. Beyond promoting the state’s treasures, the initiative is fostering organized tours, creating employment opportunities, and benefiting local businesses through the Manaskhand Express.
About Uttarakhand
UTDB is the highest body to advise the Government on all matters relating to tourism in the State. The statutory board is chaired by the Tourism Minister Govt. of Uttarakhand and Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand is its vice chairman. The Principal Secretary/ Secretary Tourism acts as Chief Executive Officer. It also has five non-official members from the private sector and experts in tourism-related matters.
The board also functions as a regulatory and Licensing Authority.
Mission & Vision
- To place Uttarakhand on the tourism map of the world as one of the leading tourist destinations, and to make Uttarakhand synonymous with tourism.
- To develop the manifold tourism-related resources of the State in an eco-friendly manner, with the active participation of the private sector and the local host communities.
- To develop tourism as a major source of employment and income/revenue generation and as a pivot of the economic and social development in the State.
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