New Year’s Day sees record crowds of devotees in Ayodhya and Varanasi

The temple towns of Ayodhya, Mathura, Mirzapur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday witnessed an unprecedented rush of devotees on the first day of the New Year. The Ram temple at Ayodhya was consecrated on January 22 last year. (Photo: PTI)

Ayodhya saw an overwhelming influx of devotees, with over 5 lakh people visiting the Ram temple on New Year’s Day.
The Ram temple drew massive crowds, with devotees queuing up for ‘darshan’ of Ram Lalla from sunrise.
By New Year’s Eve, over 2 lakh pilgrims had already arrived, while an additional 3 lakh arrived on January 1. (Photo: PTI)

Devotees in large numbers witness the Ganga Aarti on the first day of New Year 2025, at Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi.

In Varanasi, the chief executive officer of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, said the number of visitors has been rising steadily since December 28. On New Year, temple authorities had anticipated the high influx and took steps to manage the situation efficiently. (ANI Photo)

In Varanasi, the Baba Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple saw a massive turnout starting at 3 am on Wednesday. By 8 pm, over eight lakh devotees had visited the temple, with crowds continuing to grow. Chief Executive Officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra noted that visitor numbers had been steadily rising since December 28. (PTI Photo)

The eagerness of pilgrims was evident as they lined up for the ‘darshan’ of the idol, unveiled at sunrise. Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai attributed the surge in visitors to the holiday season and Ayodhya’s growing appeal as a pilgrimage destination.

The administration prepared extensively by adding 10 new visitor galleries along the Ram Janmabhoomi path and deploying heavy police presence to manage the crowds. (Photo: ANI)

Entry into the sanctum sanctorum was restricted, and "touch darshan" was prohibited on December 31 and January 1 to manage the influx. Traffic restrictions were enforced on Maidagin to Godaulia road to ensure smooth movement. (ANI Photo)

Similar scenes were observed at the Hanumangarhi temple, where steady crowds gathered from the early morning 'aarti' to the evening 'shayan aarti.'
In Mathura, Mirzapur, and Vrindavan, the spiritual fervor was equally palpable. At the Daan Ghati temple in Govardhan, Mathura, approximately 7–8 lakh devotees participated in the circumambulation of the sacred hillock. The Dwarkadhish temple marked the occasion with a special festival, decorating the deity with dry fruits and dressing it in rare woolen garments. (PTI Photo)

Across Uttar Pradesh, temples echoed with chants, devotional music, and festive celebrations. Despite the chilly weather, devotees turned out in record numbers, marking the New Year with prayers, rituals, and a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment. (Photo: ANI)