def active_trail_nodes(self, variables, observed=None):
        """
        Returns a dictionary with the given variables as keys and all the nodes reachable
        from that respective variable as values.
        Parameters
        ----------
        variables: str or array like
            variables whose active trails are to be found.
        observed : List of nodes (optional)
            If given the active trails would be computed assuming these nodes to be observed.
        Examples
        --------
        >>> from pgmpy.base import DAG
        >>> student = DAG()
        >>> student.add_nodes_from(['diff', 'intel', 'grades'])
        >>> student.add_edges_from([('diff', 'grades'), ('intel', 'grades')])
        >>> student.active_trail_nodes('diff')
        {'diff': {'diff', 'grades'}}
        >>> student.active_trail_nodes(['diff', 'intel'], observed='grades')
        {'diff': {'diff', 'intel'}, 'intel': {'diff', 'intel'}}
        References
        ----------
        Details of the algorithm can be found in 'Probabilistic Graphical Model
        Principles and Techniques' - Koller and Friedman
        Page 75 Algorithm 3.1
        """
        if observed:
            observed_list = observed if isinstance(observed, (list, tuple)) else [observed]
        else:
            observed_list = []
        ancestors_list = self._get_ancestors_of(observed_list)

        # Direction of flow of information
        # up ->  from parent to child
        # down -> from child to parent

        active_trails = {}
        for start in variables if isinstance(variables, (list, tuple)) else [variables]:
            visit_list = set()
            visit_list.add((start, 'up'))
            traversed_list = set()
            active_nodes = set()
            while visit_list:
                node, direction = visit_list.pop()
                if (node, direction) not in traversed_list:
                    if node not in observed_list:
                        active_nodes.add(node)
                    traversed_list.add((node, direction))
                    if direction == 'up' and node not in observed_list:
                        for parent in self.predecessors(node):
                            visit_list.add((parent, 'up'))
                        for child in self.successors(node):
                            visit_list.add((child, 'down'))
                    elif direction == 'down':
                        if node not in observed_list:
                            for child in self.successors(node):
                                visit_list.add((child, 'down'))
                        if node in ancestors_list:
                            for parent in self.predecessors(node):
                                visit_list.add((parent, 'up'))
            active_trails[start] = active_nodes
        return active_trails