Patna, the capital of Bihar, welcomed the dawn of 2026 on Thursday with immense fervour and spiritual enthusiasm. The first day of the year saw thousands of city residents and visitors flocking to revered temples, bustling parks, and popular tourist spots, transforming the city into a vibrant hub of celebration and devotion.
Spiritual Surge at Major Temples
The city's iconic temples became the epicentre of New Year's Day observances. The historic Mahavir Temple witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with queues for darshan stretching an astonishing 2 kilometres, all the way to R-Block. By nightfall, temple authorities estimated that over 4 lakh devotees had visited to seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead.
In preparation for the occasion, the temple was beautifully adorned with flowers specially brought from Kolkata. Priests from Ayodhya were also invited to conduct the ceremonies. The gates opened as early as 5 am, and a remarkable 18,000 kilograms of 'Naivedyam' offerings were sold to devotees throughout the day.
Similarly, the Iskcon Temple resonated with devotion as more than 4.5 lakh devotees offered prayers to Lord Krishna. The air was filled with the continuous chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Devotees engaged in devotional dances, kirtans, and harinam sankirtan. After darshan, everyone was served mahaprasad. The temple administration made extensive arrangements to manage the huge crowd, ensuring a smooth and secure experience for all visitors.
The historic Badi Patan Devi Temple in Patna City also saw a massive influx of devotees seeking the blessings of Goddess Durga. Chants of "Jai Mata Di" echoed through the premises all day. The Mangala Aarti commenced at 4 am, with darshan and puja continuing uninterrupted. Despite the chilly weather, enthusiasm was high. Devotee Rajeshwar Shukla shared, "We believe that visiting the temple on New Year’s Day brings good luck, prosperity, and peace throughout the year." The temple was decorated with colourful lights, flowers, and traditional torans.
Festive Fun at Parks and Patna Zoo
Beyond the temples, the city's recreational spaces buzzed with festive energy. Patna Zoo recorded a total footfall of 28,462 visitors on New Year's Day. This number included 23,302 adults, 5,150 children, and 10 persons with disabilities. Families and groups of friends enjoyed picnics on the grounds, though the boating facilities and animal enclosures remained closed for the day.
Similar lively scenes were observed at Eco Park, Energy Park, Children Park, and Veer Kunwar Singh Park. These areas were filled with families and friends enjoying the holiday atmosphere. Laxman Gupta, a resident of Board Colony, captured the mood, stating, "The first day of the New Year should be spent with friends and family. There was a festival-like ambience across the city."
A City United in Celebration
The collective spirit of Patna's residents defined the start of 2026. From the spiritual serenity of temple queues to the joyful laughter in public parks, the day was marked by a shared desire for a positive and hopeful beginning. Events and parties across the city featured music and dance, adding to the celebratory vibe. The widespread participation from all sections of society made the inaugural day of 2026 a memorable and unifying event for the entire city, setting a tone of joy and community for the year ahead.
