New Year celebrations in UP temple towns
In Varanasi, breathtaking night-time drone shots capture the ghats bathed in golden light as priests perform the Ganga aarti and thousands of diyas float on the river, symbolising renewal and gratitude. Vrindavan, meanwhile, is witnessing such heavy footfall that temple authorities have appealed to devotees to postpone their visits between 25 December and 5 January, warning of intense congestion around Banke Bihari temple. Rows of railings, barricades, diverted routes and special parking arrangements have been put in place to manage the crowds, with devotees allowed darshan in carefully controlled batches.
In Ayodhya, celebrations at the Ram Lalla temple carry added significance after the Dhwajarohan ceremony at Ram Mandir.
J&K’s Vaishno Devi to Tamil Nadu’s Srirangam flocked with devotees
The New Year spiritual wave stretches far beyond Uttar Pradesh. Tamil Nadu’s Srirangam (Ranganathaswamy) temple and other shrines in Trichy are seeing jam-packed corridors as people arrive from different parts of the state to seek blessings for prosperity and peace. Pilgrimage hotspots such as Vaishno Devi are also witnessing massive inflows, turning the final days of the year into a nationwide yatra of hope.
The scenes also highlight a crucial challenge: how to ensure that such large gatherings remain safe. Authorities and temple administrations are working to balance access and crowd control, even as they urge devotees to celebrate responsibly and, where possible, offer prayers from home.