Ujjain, Varanasi, Ayodhya See Record Devotee Rush Ahead of New Year

Temples Brace for Millions: Darshan Timings, VIP Slots Fully Booked,High Alert as Pilgrims Swarm Major Spiritual Hubs for 2026 Blessings.

As India prepares to welcome 2026, major pilgrimage sites are witnessing an unprecedented surge of devotees, prompting authorities to implement high-alert crowd management measures. Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar Temple alone expects 12 lakh visitors, with over 6.5 lakh already attending in a single day, aided by a 900-meter “Smart Route” and 24-hour laddu prasad counters.

 In Ayodhya, the Ram Janmabhoomi sees massive 2-km-long queues as devotees mark the 2nd anniversary of the Ram Mandir, with all VIP passes and Aarti slots booked until January 2. Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple hosts over 5 lakh pilgrims, with only distant “Jhanki Darshan” allowed, while Vrindavan’s December footfall exceeds 1.05 crore, prompting bans on heavy vehicles and e-rickshaws.

Khatu Shyam Temple in Rajasthan remains open 24 hours, accommodating devotees in streamlined queues for 1.5–2 hours of darshan. Across all sites, authorities are enforcing strict traffic restrictions, 24x7 surveillance, and queue management to ensure safety, signaling the largest coordinated spiritual gathering in the country this New Year.