Puja inside a moving train? Railways clarifies on viral video, says coach was booked for over ₹3 lakh

After the viral ‘Suhagrat coach’ grabbed headlines, another unusual video from an Indian train has sparked discussion online. This time, footage showing a religious ceremony being performed inside a train coach has gone viral on social media.A viral video shows puja rituals being performed inside a moving train.In a clip posted on X, a priest was seen sitting on the floor of the coach while performing worship rituals, with several devotees — most dressed in white — participating in the puja. The rituals were performed inside a moving train, raising questions over whether religious ceremonies are allowed inside train coaches.(Also read: ‘Suhagrat Express’: 1st AC coupe decorated like bedroom with flowers, balloons, fairy lights)Following the video’s circulation, Northern Railways clarified that the rituals were held inside a privately booked saloon car and that the coach had been allotted through a commercial booking made with IRCTC.Railways clarifiesThe official X account of Northern Railway replied to a post seeking answers and said that the puja took place inside a special saloon car.Northern Railway clarified that the religious ceremony took place inside a saloon car that had been booked a private party through IRCTC, rather than in a regular passenger coach. A saloon car on a train is a private, luxurious rail carriage designed for high-ranking officials and VIPs. It comes with air conditioned bedrooms, a kitchenette, a living and dining room, attached washrooms and more.According to the railway zone, the booking was made on July 8, with the party paying more than ₹3 lakh as advance for the commercial booking. The saloon car 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.“The Saloon Car was booked IRCTC on 08.07.26.The party made an advance payment of ₹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,” the X account of Northern Railway clarified.Railways says safety was not compromisedThe railway authorities stressed that passenger safety and train operations remained their top priority, saying, “The primary roles and responsibilities of ensuring punctuality, safety, security, convenience of the passengers lies with Railways without any compromise.”It added that “none got injured” during the incident and clarified that “the priest seen performing abhishek” was part of the ceremony being conducted inside the privately booked saloon car.(Also read: Viral ‘Suhagrat Express’ sparks question: Does Indian Railways allow private coaches?)