Northern Railways confirmed that a viral video showing a priest performing a puja inside a moving train involved a privately booked saloon coach, not a regular passenger compartment. The ceremony took place on July 10 aboard Train No. 12926 Paschim Express.
Puja Conducted in Commercially Booked Saloon Coach
The saloon coach was commercially reserved through IRCTC on July 8, with an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580. The group booked the coach for a one-way journey from New Delhi to Mumbai. Northern Railways issued permission for its operation on July 10, subject to operational feasibility.
The Railways emphasized that the ceremony did not disrupt regular train operations or inconvenience other passengers. The rituals were confined to the reserved saloon car, and no injuries were reported.
Social Media Reaction and Railways’ Response
The video, which surfaced on X, showed a priest conducting rituals with devotees dressed in white. It sparked debate online, with users questioning the unusual arrangement. Northern Railways clarified that the puja was held in a commercially reserved space, not a public coach.
Despite the explanation, the clip added to a growing list of unusual incidents on Indian trains gaining traction on social media. The Railways’ statement ruled out any compromise on punctuality, safety, or passenger convenience.
