Diwali-Chhath Special Trains: Railways Announces 8 Services for Bihar as Festival Travel Demand Rises

Passengers planning to travel to Bihar for Diwali and Chhath Puja have received an important railway update. With demand for train tickets rising sharply ahead of the festive season, Indian Railways has announced eight special train services connecting Bihar with different cities.

The move comes as passengers begin making travel arrangements well in advance for the major festivals. Many travellers had reportedly faced difficulties while trying to book seats on regular trains through the IRCTC website and mobile application when reservations opened.

Every year, Diwali and Chhath trigger a major increase in passenger traffic towards Bihar. People working or studying in cities outside the state often return home during this period, leading to heavy demand for confirmed railway tickets.

The introduction of festival special trains is expected to provide passengers with additional travel options when seats on regular services become difficult to secure.

Why Does Ticket Demand Rise So Sharply During Chhath?

Chhath Puja is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Bihar, and a large number of people living in other parts of India travel back to their hometowns to celebrate with their families.

The festive rush generally begins around Diwali and becomes particularly intense in the days leading up to Chhath.

Trains operating towards Patna and other destinations in Bihar can therefore witness extremely high booking demand. Confirmed seats on popular routes may become difficult to find soon after reservations become available.

This is why passengers travelling during the festival period are generally advised to make their plans early and keep track of special trains announced by the Railways.

Railways Announces 8 Special Services for Bihar

To accommodate the additional passenger rush, the Railways has announced eight special train services from different cities towards Bihar.

These additional services are intended to supplement regular trains during the peak travel period. Festival special trains can provide additional berths and seats, potentially giving passengers another opportunity to secure a reservation.

However, the availability of seats will depend on the specific train, date, boarding station, destination and travel class.

Passengers should check the latest timetable and booking status before finalising their plans.

Check Special Trains Instead of Relying Only on Regular Services

Passengers often search only for their usual regular train when booking a festival journey. During Diwali and Chhath, this approach can significantly reduce the chances of finding an available seat.

If a preferred regular service is already full or showing a long waiting list, travellers can search for festival special trains operating on the same or nearby routes.

It may also be useful to check alternative boarding and destination stations where practical. For example, travellers whose final destination is not directly served by a special train may be able to travel to a nearby major railway station and complete the remaining journey through another mode of transport.

The best option will depend on the passenger's route and travel requirements.

Facing Problems With the IRCTC App or Website?

High booking demand can place considerable pressure on online reservation systems when tickets for popular routes become available.

Passengers trying to book through IRCTC should ensure beforehand that their account details are correct and that they can log in successfully.

Keeping passenger details ready can also save valuable time during the booking process. Travellers should carefully verify the train number, journey date, boarding station, destination and passenger information before making payment.

A failed or incomplete payment should not automatically be treated as confirmation of a reservation. Passengers should verify the booking status and ensure that a valid ticket or PNR has been generated.

Don't Depend Entirely on Tatkal Tickets

Some passengers postpone their booking in the hope of getting a Tatkal ticket shortly before travel. This can be risky during major festivals because demand for limited Tatkal seats can also be extremely high.

Festival special trains can provide another option for passengers who could not secure a confirmed reservation on their preferred regular train.

Travellers should therefore keep checking newly announced services rather than waiting until the final days before departure.

Check the Fare Before Booking

Passengers should also compare fares carefully while choosing a festival special train.

The fare structure of a special service may differ from that of the regular train a passenger normally uses on the route. The amount payable can also vary according to travel class and applicable railway rules.

The final fare displayed during the official booking process should be checked before payment.

Passengers should also review cancellation conditions, especially if their travel dates are not yet certain.

Be Careful With Fake Railway Booking Links

Heavy festival demand also creates opportunities for online fraud. Travellers searching desperately for confirmed tickets may encounter messages, websites or social-media accounts claiming to provide guaranteed railway reservations.

Passengers should avoid sharing IRCTC passwords, banking details, card information or OTPs with unknown people.

Train tickets should be booked through authorised railway channels or legitimate reservation facilities. Claims promising a guaranteed confirmed ticket in exchange for additional payment should be treated cautiously.

Keep Checking Train Schedules Before Departure

Festival special trains may operate only on selected dates and can have different timings from regular services.

Passengers should therefore check the latest departure time, boarding station and route before leaving for the railway station.

It is also advisable to verify the current train status closer to the journey date because operational changes can sometimes affect schedules.

Travellers should avoid relying solely on an old screenshot or forwarded message for their train information.

Special Trains Could Ease the Diwali-Chhath Rush

The announcement of eight special train services is significant for passengers trying to reach Bihar during the Diwali and Chhath festive period.

While additional trains can increase overall capacity, demand is likely to remain high on popular routes. Travellers should therefore avoid delaying their reservations if their travel dates are already decided.

Those unable to find seats on regular trains should search for the newly announced special services, compare alternative routes and monitor seat availability.

With advance planning and regular checks on official railway booking platforms, passengers heading home for Diwali and Chhath Puja 2026 may have a better chance of securing a suitable train reservation during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.