Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is one of India’s most vibrant celebrations! In 2026, Holi will be celebrated on March 3rd and 4th, and preparations for the festivities are in full swing. As the celebration approaches, there has been a noticeable increase in travelers heading home, particularly from the Delhi-NCR region to states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. This surge has resulted in packed trains, with many passengers placed on waiting lists.
In response to this high demand and to provide travelers with a smooth and enjoyable travel experience during the Holi festival, Indian Railways has arranged for over 1,410 special trains to operate across its network, with plans to increase that number to 1,500. These additional services are designed to accommodate the anticipated rise in passenger numbers during the festive season and ensure easy connections between major destinations throughout March. In 2025, Indian Railways had previously organized 1,144 special trips for Holi.
Special Trains For Holi 2026 Will Boost Festival Travel
Breaking it down by zones, the Central Railway will run 209 Holi special trains, while the Western Railway is set to operate 231 trains to manage high traffic on its routes. The East Central Railway will have the largest share with 285 special trains, and the South Central Railway will provide 160 services. The Northern Railway is scheduled to run 108 special trains, while the North Western Railway has plans for 71.
To enhance connectivity further, the North Central Railway will operate 66 special trains, with both the North Eastern Railway and the East Coast Railway running 62 trains each. The South Western Railway will have 47 trains, and the West Central Railway will organize 43 services. Additionally, the Southern Railway will provide 39 Holi special trains, while the South East Central Railway will run 15. The Konkan Railway plans to operate 9 special trains, and the Northeast Frontier Railway will run 2 trains to address local demands.
Several special trains have been announced to connect key locations such as Lucknow, Delhi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chandigarh, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra – routes that typically experience high passenger volume during the Holi festival.
The majority of services will be run from late February to March 2026, aligning with the peak travel season for festivities. One can book tickets via the IRCTC website, mobile app, or at railway reservation desks.
