TNSTC launches Navagraha temple tour in delta districts

Trichy: Focusing on the spiritual tourist destinations in the Cauvery delta districts, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Kumbakonam has launched a Navagraha temple tour bus service, covering nine temples per day. A special bus will be assigned during weekends to visit nine temples dedicated to nine planetary deities, situated within a 60 km radius of Kumbakonam.The TNSTC has stated that new circuits connecting prominent tourist destinations are being explored, in addition to improving the usual bus services. As Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, and Mayiladuthurai regions have prominent temples, including Navagraha temples, TNSTC will initiate a day-long temple tour trip on weekends starting February 24. Tickets for this unique service are priced at Rs 750 per person. One of the newly inducted Bharat Stage (BS-VI) buses will be used to cover nine destinations. The trip will span a total distance of 296 km, with an estimated travel duration of 6.5 hours. Passengers will be allowed 30 minutes to 2 hours at each of the nine destinations and will also have breakfast and lunch breaks. The itinerary is planned to commence the trip at the Kumbakonam bus stand by 6 am, with the bus returning by 7.30 pm after covering all nine temples.

“Two guides are enlisted to explain the history of Navagraha temples during the trip. We are exploring options to enhance our services to be on par with private players,” said K S Mahendra Kumar, managing director of TNSTC Kumbakonam. For the maiden trip, 38 of the total 50 tickets were already booked as of Sunday. Passengers can reserve tickets online on TNSTC’s official website or mobile app. “Hiring a private cab to cover the Navagraha temples may cost above Rs 5,000. An economical temple tour with ample stoppages to cover prominent temples in a day will attract senior citizens,” said T Ramachandran, a resident of Thanjavur. Depending on the reception, TNSTC will introduce air-conditioned or sophisticated fleets for the special tour. Similar tourism circuits viable to be connected with buses will be identified, TNSTC sources added.
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