The viral clip, posted on social media platform X, showed a priest performing a puja inside a train coach, while several devotees, many dressed in white, joined the religious ceremony.
ट्रेन में नमाज़ पढ़ने पर भावनाएं आहत हो जाती हैं…
ट्रेन के केबिन में हनीमून का सरप्राइज देने पर संस्कृति खतरे में आ जाती है और TTE सस्पेंड हो जाता है…
लेकिन जब भारतीय रेलवे के एक वीआईपी सैलून कोच (Saloon Coach) के अंदर बकायदा पंडितों को बुलाकर, चलती ट्रेन में पूरा तामझाम… pic.twitter.com/7use0bmfde
— Sudhanshu Yadav (@SocialistSpirit) July 12, 2026
Responding to the viral video, Northern Railway clarified that the ceremony was not held inside a regular passenger coach. It said the puja took place inside a privately booked saloon car, which had been reserved by a private party through IRCTC, and the viral video should not be mistaken as footage from a regular passenger coach.
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The railway zone said the saloon car was commercially booked through IRCTC on July 8 after the party paid an advance of ₹3,08,580. It was attached to Train No. 12926 Paschim Express for a one-way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on July 10.
“The primary roles and responsibilities of ensuring punctuality, safety, security, convenience of the passenger lies with Railways without any compromise,” the Northern Railways wrote, adding that no one was injured in this incident.
???????? The Saloon Car was booked by IRCTC on 08.07.26.The party made an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580
as commercial booking. The Saloon Car was to be attached in Train No. 12926 Paschim Express on one way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on 10.07.2026.????????NR issued…
— Northern Railway (@RailwayNorthern) July 12, 2026
“Priest seen performing abhishek is being performed in saloon car booked by party,” it added.
What is a saloon car?
A saloon car is a private luxury railway coach meant for high-ranking officials and VIPs. Each saloon has two air-conditioned bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a spacious living and dining room with sofas, a television and a dining table.
Besides the bedrooms, every saloon has four to six extra berths to accommodate more passengers. The saloon car also includes a fully equipped kitchenette with cooking utensils, a refrigerator, an RO water purifier and a hot water sink.
According to IRCTC, saloon cars can be attached to most Mail and Express trains from major railway stations.
