Apeksha Agarwal
In a significant move aimed at enhancing accessibility for devotees, the Rajasthan government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has initiated daily bus services for pilgrims eager to visit the revered Ram Lala shrine. This decision marks a transition from the traditional mode of transportation, with the state government opting to introduce a more convenient and efficient means of travel.
On the afternoon of February 15, 2024, amidst a backdrop of fervent anticipation, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma ceremoniously flagged off the inaugural daily bus service. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to facilitating the spiritual journey of devotees, ensuring that they can pay homage to their revered deity without the constraints of transportation hurdles.
Timings and bookings
In a move aimed at enhancing pilgrimage accessibility, the Rajasthan State Road Transportation Corporation (RSRTC) has announced the launch of daily bus services to Ayodhya, the revered city of Lord Ram. This initiative, spearheaded by the state government, aims to facilitate the spiritual journey of devotees from various parts of Rajasthan, ensuring convenient travel arrangements and hospitality services.
The RSRTC, the official government booking portal for bus services, has declared that online booking services will commence from Sunday onwards, allowing passengers to reserve their seats in advance. Additionally, tickets can also be purchased from designated windows for those preferring offline transactions.
Under this initiative, RSRTC will operate one daily bus service from seven different divisions across the state, including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Kota, Bikaner, and Ajmer. Passengers traveling to Ayodhya can expect to be greeted with exemplary hospitality and well-organized arrangements throughout their journey.
Furthermore, RSRTC has released details regarding the fare and timings of bus departures from each designated location. The prices vary depending on the departure point, with fares ranging from Rs. 836 for Bharatpur to Rs. 1480 for Udaipur. For Jaipur, the fare for the bus service is set at Rs. 1079.
The timings of each bus departure also differ, with official announcements specifying the schedule for each route. For instance, the departure timing for the Jaipur bus is set at 1:30 PM, with an estimated arrival time of 6:30 am in Ayodhya. The return journey from Ayodhya to Jaipur is scheduled for 11:30am, reaching Jaipur at 4:30amthe following morning. Notably, the route includes stops at three destinations: Agra, Lucknow, and Faridabad.
This comprehensive initiative by RSRTC reflects the government’s commitment to promoting pilgrimage tourism and ensuring the comfort and convenience of devotees embarking on this sacred journey. By offering reliable transportation services, affordable fares, and well-planned itineraries, RSRTC aims to facilitate a seamless pilgrimage experience for all passengers.