From Tirupati to Shirdi: 10 Temples people visit first on New Year’s Day

With the New Year just days away, many devotees across India are preparing to begin January 1 with a visit to a temple. Visiting a temple on January 1 is seen as a way to seek blessings, peace, and a positive start to the year ahead. From famous hill shrines to historic city temples, these are the places many people choose to visit first on New Year’s Day. (Image: Canva)

1. Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh | One of the most visited temples in the world, Tirupati sees massive crowds on January 1. Devotees believe that beginning the year with Lord Venkateswara’s darshan brings prosperity and good fortune. (Image: Canva)

2. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai | Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this temple is a top New Year destination for people from Mumbai and nearby cities. Early morning queues are common as devotees seek blessings for a successful and obstacle-free start. (Image: Canva)

3. Vaishno Devi Temple, Jammu and Kashmir | Thousands of pilgrims start the New Year by trekking to the Vaishno Devi shrine. Many believe that the year feels incomplete without Mata’s blessings on the first day. (Image: Canva)

4. Golden Temple, Amritsar | The Golden Temple attracts devotees from across India on New Year’s Day. The peaceful prayers, kirtans, and langar make it a spiritual way to welcome the year. (Image: Canva)

5. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi | Located on the banks of the Ganga, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is among the most visited on January 1. Devotees believe prayers here help clear past worries and bring inner peace. (Image: Reuters)

6. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Maharashtra | Shirdi sees a huge influx of devotees at the start of every year. Sai Baba’s teachings of faith and patience draw people looking for guidance and hope. (Image: Canva)

7. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai | This historic temple is a popular New Year stop in South India. Devotees pray for the family’s well-being, good health, and harmony in the coming year. (Image: Canva)

8. Jagannath Temple, Puri | Many people begin the year with a visit to Lord Jagannath. The temple holds special prayers on January 1, attracting devotees from Odisha and beyond. (Image: Canva)

9. Somnath Temple, Gujarat | As one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, Somnath Temple is an important New Year pilgrimage site. Devotees believe starting the year here brings strength and spiritual clarity. (Image: Canva)

10. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram | This famous temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is among the first stops for many devotees on New Year’s morning, especially in Kerala and southern states. (Image: Canva)