U.S., Feb. 17 -- In an unorthodox attempt to boost religious tourism , Indian Railways has reserved a special seat for the omnipotent Lord Shiva on the Kashi Mahakal Express, which is India's first privately owned train that will run between India's three holy cities.

From now on, the Hindu god will have seat 64 reserved for him on a sleeper train, that was launched on Sunday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The train set out from the ancient holy city of Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, heading for two other major Hindu sites.

The vacant berth, heavily decorated with garlands and pictures of Lord Shiva himself, is actually a small Hindu temple set up in a sleeper coach. But its presence is intended to remind passengers that the ...