Massive Crowds Flock to Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Ujjain Temples on New Year's Day

Over three lakh devotees visited Ayodhya's Ram Temple, 3.5 lakh worshipped at Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath, and thousands thronged Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple to mark the start of 2025.

Ayodhya's Ram Temple saw an unprecedented influx of over three lakh devotees on January 1, bolstered by expanded visitor galleries and heightened security measures.
Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple recorded 3.5 lakh visitors by late afternoon, with strict crowd control and vehicle restrictions ensuring smooth operations.
Ujjain's Mahakaleshwar Temple hosted thousands for its special Bhasma Aarti ritual, with 1,100 police personnel deployed to manage the crowd and ensure safety.
The winter holiday season and the popularity of Ayodhya as a pilgrimage destination contributed to the surge in visitors, according to temple officials.
Enhanced security protocols, including drone surveillance and quick reaction teams, were implemented across all three temple towns to ensure a safe start to the New Year.