Puri, Jan 1: The year 2025 ended at midnight on December 31, ushering in the New Year 2026 amid celebrations across the country. From villages to major cities, people welcomed the English New Year in a festive mood. In Odisha, however, a strong spiritual fervour marked the beginning of the year as thousands of devotees thronged Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

On the occasion of the New Year, the doors of the Shree Jagannath Temple were opened at around 2 a.m. to facilitate special rituals, following which darshan was allowed for devotees. Large numbers of pilgrims from across Odisha and other states arrived in Shreekhetra to begin the first day of the year with a visit to the holy shrine. Devotees offered prayers for happiness, prosperity, and the well-being of their families, expressing faith that the Lord’s blessings would ensure a peaceful year ahead.

Devotees from distant places were seen lining up at the grand temple, seeking blessings and offering prayers for the fulfillment of their wishes. Alongside religious gatherings, Puri also witnessed a surge in tourist activity, with visitors from across the country and abroad flocking to the sea beach to celebrate the New Year. Tourists were seen strolling along the beach and taking sea baths, making the first day of 2026 a memorable experience.

Meanwhile, New Year celebrations were observed across Odisha, including in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Berhampur, Rourkela, and Sambalpur, where fireworks and public celebrations marked the occasion. Many people chose to welcome the New Year with spiritual reflection and resolutions to undertake positive actions in the year ahead. To ensure peace and order, extensive security arrangements were put in place across the state.