With the support of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, the Buddhist Circuit Special Train, was launched by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd., a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India in the year 2007, with the objective of offering a safe, comfortable & reliable tour package for international as well as domestic travelers on the Buddhist Circuit. This is a fully AC train with a capacity of 274 seats comprising of 72 berths in first AC, 138 berths in second AC and 64 berths in third AC.
During its 7 nights / 8 days journey from Delhi it covers important sites such as Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and at the end The Taj Mahal (Agra). The all-inclusive tour package includes train journeys, hotel accommodation, road transport, tour guide services, tour manager services, all meals, travel insurance, security and monument admission fees etc. during the tour. This train has been awarded the coveted National Tourism Award of Excellence by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in Feb 2009. In the year 2011-12, the train got ISO certification and upgraded with a number of additional facilities and amenities for providing better services to the passengers.