As the historic city of Kolkata counts down to the dawn of 2026, its diverse places of worship are undergoing a vibrant transformation. Across the metropolis, churches, temples, mazars, and gurdwaras are preparing to welcome thousands of devotees who traditionally begin the first day of the year with prayers and gratitude.
Churches Emphasize Peace and Collective Well-being
From the early hours of January 1, a significant number of Kolkatans will head to churches for special services. St Andrew's Church on Brabourne Road will hold a special morning prayer led by Reverend Swarup Bar. The reverend has announced that the prayers will focus on peace and harmony for all people, regardless of their faith. Other prominent churches are also making elaborate preparations.
Duff Church in Maniktala, St John's Church on Council House Street, and Sacred Heart Church on Lenin Sarani are expecting hundreds of visitors. These venues are being adorned with floral decorations and illuminated facades. Additional seating is being arranged to accommodate the expected crowds for the early services. Rangan Dutta, a church officer at St John's Church, noted that the day brings together families, young individuals, and elderly residents in a shared spirit of hope.
Temples and Dargahs Anticipate Large Gatherings
The iconic temples of Kalighat and Dakshineswar are synonymous with New Year's Day devotion, witnessing long queues from the break of dawn every year. Authorities at both temples are deep in preparations, coordinating teams of volunteers to assist the influx of devotees. An official from the Dakshineswar Kali Temple stated that New Year's Day is among the busiest mornings, attracting visitors from other districts as well. The primary focus is on facilitating smooth darshan and ensuring everyone has adequate time for personal prayer.
Similarly, at Kalighat Temple, specific arrangements are being finalized to manage the smooth entry and exit of the large crowd. Across the city, dargahs also experience a steady stream of visitors on January 1. Many devotees offer prayers of shukrana, or gratitude, for the year gone by. Faisal Khan, a regular visitor to a city dargah on New Year's Day, shared his intention to pray for the well-being of his family, friends, country, and all citizens, wishing for a 2026 filled with happiness, prosperity, and good health for everybody.
Community Efforts and Langar Preparations
Gurdwaras in Kolkata are equally active in their preparations for the significant day. They are organizing early morning prayers and preparing community langar to welcome all devotees and visitors. While crowd management plans are being coordinated with volunteers and local police, organizers emphasize that the core objective is to accommodate every devotee and ensure everyone can offer their prayers in a peaceful environment.
The collective effort across Kolkata's spiritual landscape highlights the city's tradition of welcoming the new year with reflection, community, and hope. The sprucing up of venues, mobilization of volunteers, and special prayer schedules all point towards a shared desire to start 2026 on a note of unity and spiritual harmony.
