A video showing a Hindu religious ceremony inside a moving train has gone viral, prompting widespread discussion on social media over whether such activities are permitted on Indian Railways. The clip, which gained traction days after the much-talked-about "honeymoon coach" video, featured a priest conducting a puja while several devotees participated in the rituals.
The footage showed the priest seated on the floor of the coach, with men and women dressed largely in white joining the prayers. As the video spread online, many users questioned whether passengers were allowed to organise religious events inside train coaches.
Responding to the controversy, Northern Railway issued a clarification through its official X handle, stating that the ceremony was not held in a regular passenger coach. Instead, it took place inside a privately booked saloon coach reserved through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
According to the railway zone, the luxury coach had been commercially hired by a private group after an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580. The booking was made on July 8, and the saloon coach was scheduled to be attached to Train No. 12926 Paschim Express for a one-way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on July 10.
Northern Railway explained that saloon coaches are premium railway carriages designed for private use and are equipped with facilities such as air-conditioned bedrooms, a lounge, dining area, kitchenette and attached washrooms. These coaches can be booked under prescribed commercial guidelines.
The clarification sought to dispel the impression that the ceremony had been organised inside a standard passenger coach, emphasising that the event took place in a legally booked private railway saloon.