IRCTC has already procured a Rajdhani rake to run this train, and it will offer a total 366 berths in Ist, 2nd and 3rd AC carriages. The fare for AC I class is $ 120 per day per person, that for AC II class is $ 90, and AC II class $ 80.

“The fare includes on-board and off-board catering, house keeping, road transfer by luxury coaches, sightseeing and visit to holy places, hotel accommodations, all meals, entry tickets and fees for guides,” Goel said. Though meant primarily for foreign tourists, the train will also be open to Indians, who will pay the same fare in rupees.

To market the venture before a global audience, IRCTC has already appointed General Sales Agents in countries like Sri Lanka and has roped in some agents already involved in running tours to Buddhist sites from places in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Japan and Nepal. “As of now, tourist fly to a particular place, visit a Buddhist site and fly out. Ours is an concept where we are trying to integrate all the sites related to Buddha and offer a pilgrimage kind of an experience,” said Goel.