112 Special Trains for Onam: Railways Extends Kerala Services Through September; Sabarimala Devotees to Benefit
Railway passengers travelling to and from Kerala during the Onam season have received a major boost, with Indian Railways extending several special train services through September to meet the expected festive travel rush. A total of 112 special train services are being operated to and from Kerala during the Onam period, providing additional connectivity with major cities including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru and Velankanni. The extended services are expected to benefit Keralites travelling home for Onam as well as Sabarimala devotees travelling to Kerala from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India.
Demand is already strong on several routes, with many Bengaluru and Chennai services moving to the waiting list, while some other trains still have hundreds of berths available.
Bengaluru–Kerala special trains extended through September
Several special trains between SMVT Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram North, along with the Kollam–Hubballi Special, have been extended through September.
The extended schedule is as follows:
• Train No. 06523, SMVT Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Weekend Special: Mondays from September 7 to 28.
• Train No. 06524, Thiruvananthapuram North–SMVT Bengaluru Special: Tuesdays from September 8 to 29.
• Train No. 06547, SMVT Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Special: Wednesdays from September 2 to 23.
• Train No. 06548, Thiruvananthapuram North–SMVT Bengaluru Special: Thursdays from September 3 to 24.
• Train No. 06555, SMVT Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Special: Fridays from September 4 to 25.
• Train No. 06556, Thiruvananthapuram North–SMVT Bengaluru Special: Sundays from September 6 to 27.
• Train No. 07314, Kollam–Hubballi Special: Mondays from September 7 to 28.
The extension is expected to provide significant relief to Keralites living and working in Karnataka who are planning to return home for Onam. It will also give Sabarimala pilgrims travelling through Bengaluru and northern Karnataka additional train options for reaching Kerala.
Check Sabarimala train reservation dates
Planning to travel to Sabarimala by train? You can now check when Advance Reservation Period (ARP) booking is expected to open for your journey date using the Sabarimala Trainman Tool at sabarimalauptodate.in.
Enter your planned Sabarimala journey date to find the expected date when advance train reservations may open, helping you plan your pilgrimage and book tickets early.
Chennai–Kerala trains: Booking status
Several special trains between Chennai and Kerala are seeing high demand, although berths remain available on some services.
The Chennai Egmore–Mangaluru Special (06125), operating on August 18, August 25 and September 1, still has berths available, including Sleeper Class.
The return Mangaluru–Chennai Egmore Special (06126), scheduled for August 17, August 24 and August 31, also has vacant berths.
The Tambaram–Thiruvananthapuram Central Special (06109), operating on August 20 and August 27, has AC berths available.
The Chennai Central–Kollam Special (06119), which consists of Third AC Economy coaches, has around 600 berths available for the August 19 service and around 300 for August 26.
However, the Chennai Central–Kollam Special (06117) operating on August 15 and August 22 has already moved to the waiting list. Sleeper Class tickets remain available for the August 29 service.
The Thiruvananthapuram Central–Tambaram Special (06110), scheduled for August 19, has tickets available including Sleeper Class. The August 26 service has availability only in AC coaches, while Sleeper Class tickets are available for the September 2 service.
The Kollam–Chennai Central Special (06120) departing on August 20 has around 800 Third AC berths available, while the August 27 service has around 700 tickets available.
In contrast, the August 16, 23 and 30 services of the Kollam–Chennai Central Special (06118) are currently on the waiting list.
Ernakulam–Velankanni weekly special
Another special service will provide additional connectivity between Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the festive period.
Train No. 06061, Ernakulam Junction–Velankanni Weekly Special, will depart Ernakulam Junction at 1:00 PM on Thursdays, August 27, September 3 and September 10. It will reach Velankanni at 5:50 AM the following Friday.
The train will stop at Kottayam, Changanassery, Tiruvalla, Chengannur, Mavelikara, Kayamkulam, Karunagappally, Sasthamkotta, Kollam, Kundara, Kottarakkara, Avaneeswaram, Punalur, Thenmala, Sengottai, Kadayanallur, Tenkasi Junction, Sankarankovil, Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur, Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Aruppukkottai, Manamadurai, Sivaganga, Karaikkudi, Athangudi, Pudukkottai, Adirampattinam, Tirutturaipundi, Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam.
In the return direction, Train No. 06062, Velankanni–Ernakulam Junction Weekly Special, will depart Velankanni at 6:40 PM on Fridays, August 28, September 4 and September 11. It will reach Ernakulam Junction at 11:50 AM the following day.
The train will comprise one 2-Tier AC coach, two 3-Tier AC coaches, 13 Sleeper Class coaches and two Second Class coaches designed to accommodate Divyangjan passengers.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
Bengaluru–Kerala services witness heavy demand
A total of 28 special services are being operated between the Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam regions and Bengaluru in both directions. Additional services connect Mysuru with Kannur and Kannur with Bengaluru via Palakkad.
The Bengaluru–Ernakulam Special (06148), operating on August 17, 24 and 31, still has some vacant berths.
The Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Special (06555), scheduled for August 14, 21 and 28, is currently on the waiting list.
The Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Special (06523) is fully booked for August 17 and 24, while berths are available for August 31.
The Bengaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Special (06547), operating on August 19 and 26, is on the waiting list, while tickets are available for September 2.
On the return route, the Ernakulam–Bengaluru Special (06147), operating on August 16, 23 and 30, has vacant berths. AC seats are available on the August 30 service.
The Thiruvananthapuram North–Bengaluru Special (06556) is fully booked.
The Thiruvananthapuram North–Bengaluru Special (06524), operating on August 18, August 25 and September 1, currently has no tickets available.
The Thiruvananthapuram North–Bengaluru Special (06548), operating on August 20 and 27, has AC tickets available on August 20, while the August 27 service is on the waiting list.
Mysuru–Kannur and Kannur–Bengaluru services
Special services are also being operated between Mysuru and Kannur and between Kannur and Bengaluru via Palakkad.
The Mysuru–Kannur Special (06227), departing on the night of August 25, is fully booked. However, berths remain available on the August 29 Mysuru–Kannur Special (06229).
The Kannur–Bengaluru Special (06230), scheduled for August 30 via Palakkad, is currently on the waiting list.
Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru special services
The Thiruvananthapuram North–Mangaluru Special (06093) will operate on August 12, 19 and 26.
The return Mangaluru–Thiruvananthapuram North Special (06094) will operate on August 13, 20 and 27.
These services will provide additional travel options between northern Kerala and the state capital during the Onam period and can also support pilgrims travelling towards Sabarimala through Kerala.
Temporary route diversions via Alappuzha
Passengers travelling during the Onam period should also be aware of temporary route changes affecting several trains.
Due to track maintenance and operational requirements, some trains that normally operate through Kottayam will be diverted via Alappuzha on September 19 and 21.
The affected services include:
Train No. 16347, Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Central Express
Train No. 16343, Thiruvananthapuram–Madurai Junction Amritha Express
Train No. 16349, Thiruvananthapuram North–Nilambur Road Rajya Rani Express
During the diversion, these trains will have temporary stops at Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha and Ernakulam Junction.
Their regular stops at Mavelikkara, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, Changanassery and Kottayam will be cancelled on the affected dates.(sabarimalauptodate.in)
The Thiruvananthapuram Central–Hazrat Nizamuddin Weekly Superfast Express (22653) will also be diverted via Alappuzha on September 21. It will have temporary stops at Haripad, Ambalappuzha, Alappuzha and Ernakulam Junction.
Major relief for Onam travellers and Sabarimala pilgrims
The extension of special trains comes at a crucial time when railway reservations are witnessing increased demand ahead of Onam.
For Keralites living in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangaluru and other cities, the additional services offer more opportunities to travel home during the festival. At the same time, the continued operation of these trains will be useful for Sabarimala pilgrims, particularly those travelling from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to destinations in Kerala before continuing their pilgrimage.
With several services already moving into the waiting list, passengers are advised to plan their journeys early, check the latest reservation status and make use of available special trains wherever possible.
Railway availability can change rapidly as the festive and pilgrimage travel seasons approach.