The inaugural ceremony of the special train service to Sabarimala in Kerala, the site of the Shree Ayyappa Swamy Devotion, was held at Belgaum Railway Station this morning. 112-year-old Dr. Salmarad Timakka and Belgaum MP Mangala Angadi were present as guest of honour.
On this occasion, after worshiping the special train decorated with flower garlands and banana trees by MP Angadi, The railway service was inaugurated by Salmarad. On this occasion, Belgaum North MLA Adv. Anil Benke, Dr. Salmaru Timakka’s adopted son and President of Indian Ayyappa Swami Seva Samiti Umesh and other dignitaries including railway officials and Ayyappa Swami devotees were present in large numbers. Speaking to the media after the inauguration ceremony, MLA Adv. Anil Benke inaugurated the railway service and Dr. Gave information about Salmarad Timakka. He also appealed to all the people of Belgaum area, especially members of Bharatiya Ayyappa Swami Seva Samiti, Ayyappa devotees and other devotees to take advantage of this special train service.
There are many devotees of Ayyappa Swami in Belgaum, Hubli area. As there is no direct train service to reach the Ayyappa Swamy shrine at Sabarimala in Kerala, devotees had to reach Bangalore from Belgaum and from there to Sabarimala. Therefore, a few days ago MP Mangala Angadi had requested the South Western Railway to start a train on this route from Belgaum. Taking note of this demand, South Western Railway has started Belgaum-Kollam special express train. The said express train service will be available every Sunday from today Sunday till next January 15. Belgaum – Kollam Express train will leave Belgaum at 11:30 am on Sunday and reach Kollam at 3:15 pm on Monday.
Similarly, Sadar Express will leave Kollam at 5:10 PM on Monday and reach Belgaum at 11 PM on Tuesday. This express will run weekly from Belgaum from November 20 to January 15, and from November 21 to January 16 from Kollam.
