Every year, Bihar witnesses one of the biggest festive travel rushes in India during Diwali and Chhath Puja. These two festivals are not only cultural highlights but also family reunions for millions of Biharis working across the country. As the festive season approaches, Indian Railways introduces special trains to Bihar from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and others to handle the massive passenger demand.
In this detailed guide, we bring you everything about the special trains to Bihar for Diwali & Chhath Puja 2025 — routes, dates, booking tips, and the significance of these journeys in the lives of migrants returning home.
🌟 Why Special Trains Are Crucial During Diwali & Chhath?
Bihar is home to millions of migrant workers, students, and professionals who live in metro cities across India. During Diwali and Chhath Puja, there is an emotional and cultural urge to travel back home. However, normal trains like Rajdhani Express, Sampark Kranti, Jansadharan Express, and Bihar-bound mail/express trains often get fully booked months in advance.
According to Indian Railways, nearly 25-30 lakh passengers travel to Bihar in just 15 days around the festive season. To handle this overwhelming rush, the Railways operates festival special trains with additional coaches, ensuring that families can celebrate together.
🚆 List of Major Special Train Routes to Bihar 2025
Here’s a breakdown of important routes where special trains will run during October–November 2025:
1. Delhi – Bihar Special Trains
- New Delhi – Patna Festival Special
- Anand Vihar – Muzaffarpur Superfast Special
- New Delhi – Darbhanga Special Express
- Old Delhi – Gaya Special
These routes serve passengers heading towards Patna, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, and Gaya from NCR.
2. Mumbai – Bihar Special Trains
- Mumbai CST – Patna Special Express
- Mumbai LTT – Darbhanga Superfast Special
- Mumbai – Muzaffarpur Special Train
These trains are in high demand as thousands of Bihari migrants in Mumbai’s industrial belts return home for festivals.
3. Kolkata – Bihar Special Trains
- Howrah – Patna Special Express
- Sealdah – Gaya Festival Special
- Kolkata – Muzaffarpur Special
Kolkata and Patna have strong cultural and economic ties. These trains help travelers from Bengal return home for Chhath celebrations.
4. Bengaluru – Bihar Special Trains
- Bengaluru – Patna Festival Special
- Bengaluru – Darbhanga Special
Bengaluru has a large student and IT workforce from Bihar, making these long-distance trains essential during festivals.
5. Ahmedabad – Bihar Special Trains
- Ahmedabad – Patna Festival Special
- Ahmedabad – Muzaffarpur Special Train
These trains cater to industrial workers and traders from Gujarat heading to Bihar for family gatherings.
📅 Train Schedule & Frequency
The special trains to Bihar will run between last week of October 2025 and mid-November 2025. Some of them will be daily services, while others will run on a bi-weekly or tri-weekly basis. The exact dates and timings will be announced in Indian Railways’ official press releases and updated on the IRCTC website.
🪔 Cultural Importance of Diwali & Chhath in Bihar
While Diwali is celebrated across India, in Bihar it carries a unique flavor with traditions like Kali Puja, Lakshmi Puja, and Govardhan Puja. However, it is Chhath Puja that truly defines Bihar’s cultural spirit. Celebrated six days after Diwali, Chhath is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya. Devotees observe rigorous fasting, holy dips in rivers like Ganga, Kosi, and Gandak, and offer prayers during sunrise and sunset.
Because Chhath is a community festival, Biharis across India make it a priority to return home, leading to record-breaking passenger rush on trains. The Railways’ role in facilitating this annual homecoming is thus not just logistical, but deeply cultural and emotional.
📊 Migration & Passenger Rush – Some Numbers
- Over 5 million Biharis live outside the state for work and education.
- During Diwali-Chhath 2024, Railways operated 350+ festival special trains for Bihar.
- Nearly 1.5 crore passengers traveled to Bihar during the festive season last year.
- IRCTC reported record-breaking ticket bookings within hours of opening reservations.
These numbers underline the importance of extra train services during October–November.
🎟️ How to Book Tickets for Special Trains?
Passengers can book tickets through:
- IRCTC official website
- IRCTC mobile app
- Railway reservation counters
- Authorized travel agents
Additional booking options include Tatkal quota and Premium Tatkal quota for last-minute travelers. Tickets sell out quickly during this season, so passengers are advised to book as early as possible.
🧳 Travel Tips for Festive Season
- Book tickets in advance to avoid waitlisted seats.
- Carry valid ID proof along with your e-ticket.
- Arrive early at the station as festive crowd management can delay boarding.
- Stay updated with official announcements from Railways.
- For Chhath Puja, expect extra rush on Ganga-facing towns like Patna, Hajipur, and Muzaffarpur.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will special trains to Bihar for Diwali & Chhath 2025 be announced?
The official list of trains will be announced by September–October 2025 on the Indian Railways website.
2. Will these trains have Sleeper and AC coaches?
Yes, festival special trains usually include Sleeper Class, AC 3-Tier, AC 2-Tier, and General Compartments.
3. Can I book Tatkal tickets for these trains?
Yes, Tatkal and Premium Tatkal quotas will be available.
4. Are there extra charges for festival trains?
Some festival trains run as Superfast Specials with slightly higher fares.
5. Will South India to Bihar trains be available?
Yes, long-distance specials from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai are expected.
🌟 Conclusion
The special trains to Bihar for Diwali & Chhath Puja 2025 are more than just a travel option – they symbolize the emotional journey of millions heading home. From Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and beyond, these trains connect families and traditions, making sure no one misses the joy of celebrating with loved ones.
Passengers are advised to keep checking IRCTC and Indian Railways websites for final train schedules, train numbers, and seat availability. As always, plan early, travel safe, and celebrate the festivals with happiness.