Archive · 27 Aug 2026
DHR Adds Six Special Joyrides for Durga Puja Season
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is adding six special train rides for the Durga Puja holiday season.
These rides will begin on 1 October 2026.
Four trains will travel between Darjeeling and Ghum.
Two other trains will travel between Kurseong and Mahanadi.
One of these trains, called Red Panda, will use a steam engine.
The other, called Mukta Dhara, will use a diesel engine.
Mukta Dhara is named after a poem by Rabindranath Tagore.
The rides are meant to help visitors enjoy the hills, railway history and local culture.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway will introduce six additional joyrides from 1 October 2026 for the Durga Puja season.
Four diesel-hauled single trips will operate between Darjeeling and Ghum, with proposed fares of Rs. 800 each way.
Two round trips will run between Kurseong and Mahanadi: steam-hauled Red Panda and diesel-hauled Mukta Dhara.
Red Panda will cost a proposed Rs. 1,530, while Mukta Dhara will cost Rs. 1,030 for a round trip.
A special Mukta Dhara run will be held at Mahanadi station in late September during the Station Mahotsav.
- Who
- The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway under Northeast Frontier Railway.
- What
- Six additional joyride services will be introduced for the Durga Puja festival season.
- When
- The services are scheduled to begin on 1 October 2026; a special Mukta Dhara run is planned for late September.
- Where
- The services will operate between Darjeeling and Ghum, and between Kurseong and Mahanadi in the Darjeeling hills.
- Why
- To provide more opportunities for tourists and local visitors to experience the railway’s heritage, scenery and cultural surroundings.
- Service start date
- 1 October 2026
- Total additional services
- Six joyrides
- Darjeeling–Ghum fare
- Proposed Rs. 800 per single journey
- Red Panda fare
- Proposed Rs. 1,530 per round trip
- Mukta Dhara fare
- Proposed Rs. 1,030 per round trip
- Red Panda operation
- Steam-hauled, between Kurseong and Mahanadi
- Mukta Dhara operation
- Diesel-hauled, between Kurseong and Mahanadi