The Economic Dimensions of Indian Railways ‘Bharat Gaurav’ Pilgrimage Routes

In the last five years the Government of India, has embarked on a strategy to reap the economic benefits from developing and launching theme-based pilgrimage heritage tourism railway circuit packages, under the Indian Railways brand of “Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train”. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the economic dimensions, opportunities and challenges from developing innovative and transformative heritage and spiritual railway tourism train routes by the Indian railways, for celebrating India’s Glory as a vehicle for uniting Indian people, appreciate India’s diverse heritage and appreciate India’s secular nature of spirituality with the aim of attracting domestic and international tourist, internal peace, generate revenue, employment opportunities in the railway and religious tourism sector, for the economic progress, and prosperity of the local communities sustainable future.