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Train Ticket Booking: As soon as the festive season starts, the demand for confirmed tickets in trains increases rapidly. Especially during Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath, it can be difficult to get a seat in trains going to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal. In such a situation, if you are preparing to go home by train during the festivals in 2026, then it will be very beneficial for you to know the date of advance ticket booking in advance.

When will ticket booking open for Durga Puja?

If your journey is on 17 October 2026, ticket booking can start from 18 August 2026 under the normal reservation system. The number of passengers increases significantly during festival times, so it would be better to try to book tickets soon after the booking window opens.

Ticket booking for Diwali from 7th September

This year Diwali will be celebrated on 6 November 2026. For passengers traveling on this date, general reservation booking will start 60 days in advance i.e. from 7 September 2026. Trains going from Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab, Gujarat and other big cities towards Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh are heavily crowded during the festival.

Booking for Chhath Puja from 14th September (Train Ticket Booking)

Chhath Puja is on 13 November 2026. If you want to travel on this day, then the date for starting ticket booking is 14th September. However, many people leave for their homes several days before Chhath. Therefore, count the period of 60 days according to the actual date of travel.

Know ticket booking date at a glance

Opening-day booking starts at 8 am

Ticket booking is available after 8 am on the opening day of general reservation. Under the advance reservation rules of Railways, the date of journey is not included in the calculation of 60 days. Also, the booking period may be different for some trains, so it is important to check the rules of the respective train before booking the ticket.

Special trains can also be available on Chhath and Diwali.

In view of the increasing number of passengers during festivals, Railways runs special trains on different routes. If you do not get a confirmed seat in regular trains, then you can keep an eye on the festival special trains to be announced later. When trains are announced by the Railways, information about their schedules and booking is available through official channels.

Important thing for travelers

Do not decide ticket booking only after seeing the date 60 days in advance. The actual date of your journey and the date the train starts its journey from the originating station may be important. If the train departs a day before its originating station and you are boarding from a station en route, the booking calculation may be affected depending on the journey originating from the train’s originating station.