Viral puja video inside train: Northern Railway issues explanation; here's what actually happened | Fact Check
PTC Web Desk: A video showing a priest performing a puja inside what appeared to be a train coach has taken social media by storm, coming just days after the "honeymoon coach" clip left Internet buzzing. This time, the footage showed a priest seated on the floor conducting religious rituals, surrounded by several devotees, many of them dressed in white, all seemingly participating in the ceremony as the train moved.
Naturally, the video raised eyebrows. Was this even allowed? Can people just hold religious functions inside a moving train?
However, taking to its official X account, the Northern Railway later clarified that the ceremony wasn't held in an ordinary passenger coach at all; it took place inside a privately booked saloon car.
After honeymoon coach, now worship rituals in saloon coach of Indian Railways. Indian Railway is becoming circus. pic.twitter.com/5UwZIJAdGb — VIZHPUNEET (@vizhpuneet) July 12, 2026
???????? The Saloon Car was booked by IRCTC on 08.07.26.The party made an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580as 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
For those unfamiliar, a saloon car isn't your typical train compartment. It's a private, high-end coach usually reserved for VIPs and senior officials and it comes loaded with comforts most travellers wouldn't expect on a train: AC bedrooms, a small kitchenette, a proper living and dining space and attached washrooms.
According to the details shared by the Northern Railway, the saloon car had been booked through IRCTC on July 8 by a private party. The booking wasn't cheap either. The party paid an advance of Rs 3,08,580 for what was classified as a commercial booking. The car was then attached to the Paschim Express (Train No. 12926) for a one-way trip from New Delhi to Mumbai on July 10.
So while the video made it look like a regular coach had turned into a makeshift temple, the reality, as Railways explained, was a private booking well within the rules, just one that most passengers rarely get to see.
- With inputs from agencies
