Train Puja Viral Video: Railway Clarifies Ritual Was Held in Privately Booked Saloon Car, Not Passenger Coach
A viral video showing a priest performing a puja inside a train sparked debate online. Northern Railway clarified that the ritual took place in a privately booked IRCTC saloon car, not a regular passenger coach. Officials said the booking followed all commercial rules and no railway norms were violated.
A video showing a religious ceremony being performed inside a train has gone viral on social media, prompting questions over whether such events are allowed on Indian Railways. Following the backlash, Northern Railway issued a clarification, stating that the ritual was held inside a privately booked saloon car and not in a regular passenger coach.
In a post on X, Northern Railway said the saloon car had been booked through IRCTC on July 8, 2026, under a commercial booking. The party made an advance payment of INR 3,08,580, after which the booking was processed as per railway rules. 'Suhagraat in Train': Railways Suspends Official Over Viral 'Honeymoon Suite' Decoration in First AC Coach of Nandigram Express.
According to the Railway, the saloon car was scheduled to be attached to Train No. 12926 Paschim Express for a one-way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (Bandra Terminus - BDTS) on July 10, 2026. Northern Railway also issued a notification approving the commercial run of the saloon car, subject to operational feasibility.
Northern Railway Issues Clarification on Religious Ceremony Inside Coach
Addressing the viral video, the Railway clarified that the priest seen performing abhishek was inside the privately booked saloon car and not in a coach used by regular passengers.
"The primary roles and responsibilities of ensuring punctuality, safety, security and convenience of passengers lie with Railways without any compromise. In this incident, no one was injured. The priest seen performing abhishek was in the saloon car booked by the party," Northern Railway said. Darjeeling Toy Train Hits Parked Taxi, Driver Claims Train Was on the ‘Wrong Side’; Video Goes Viral.
The clarification came after several social media users questioned whether religious ceremonies are permitted inside trains and whether ordinary passengers could organise similar events.
Railway officials stressed that this was not a general passenger coach but a luxury saloon car hired under commercial rules. Such saloon cars are available for private bookings through IRCTC and are equipped with premium facilities, including bedrooms, a living area, a dining space and attached bathrooms.
The Railway reiterated that the viral incident did not involve any violation of rules, as the ceremony was conducted inside a legally booked private saloon coach rather than a regular passenger compartment.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2026 11:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).