Special Trains for Sabarimala Pilgrims This Season
Bengaluru: Ayyappa devotees from Karnataka will find it easier to travel to Kerala this pilgrimage season, with South Western Railway announcing 14 special express services between Hubballi and Kollam Junction via Bengaluru.
The Hubballi–Kollam Special Express will operate every Sunday from September 28 to December 28, departing Hubballi at 3:15 p.m. and reaching Kollam at 12:55 p.m. the following day. In the return direction, the Kollam–Hubballi Special will run every Monday from September 29 to December 29, leaving Kollam at 5 p.m. and arriving in Hubballi at 6:30 p.m. the next day.
Train No: 07313 & 07314
The train will have 22 coaches, including one AC 2-tier, two AC 3-tier, 12 sleeper coaches, and five general compartments. Key halts en route include Haveri, Davangere, Birur, Arsikere, Tumakuru, SMVT Bengaluru, and Krishnarajapuram.
Railway officials noted that the service is designed to facilitate smooth travel for pilgrims visiting Sabarimala, as passengers can conveniently alight at Chengannur, the closest railway station to the shrine.
