Devotees across India welcomed the New Year on Thursday, January 1, with prayers at Hindu temples and Sikh shrines, braving fog and large crowds to seek blessings for the year ahead.

In Haridwar, pilgrims took ritual dips in the River Ganges despite the chilly weather. “I can’t explain in words how I’m feeling. I just feel amazing. Very positive vibes are there,” said Jhumroo, a devotee.

At Assam’s Kamakhya Temple, worshippers lit lamps and prayed for prosperity. In Mumbai, large crowds gathered at the Siddhivinayak Temple to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha. Meanwhile, in Amritsar, Sikh devotees queued at the Golden Temple, with one visitor expressing hope that the year would bring “happiness and joy for everyone.”

The celebrations highlighted the devotion and optimism of people across India as they began 2026 with faith and rituals.

-Production: GG/Reuters