Assam: A large number of devotees visit places of worship on New Year’s Day

Guwahati: Devotees gathered in large numbers at temples across the state on Monday, the first day of the year. Huge crowds were seen at popular religious places like Batadraba Thana in Nagaon and Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on Monday. Batadraba Thana, the holy birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev, saw the presence of a large number of devotees that day. People from across the state visited the thana on Monday and prayed for this year. Long queues were seen at the complex as visitors waited for their chance to offer their prayers. People of all ages visited the shrine and offered traditional offerings consisting of gram, pulses, coconut and sweets and prayed for the safety and well-being of citizens across the country and a peaceful scenario in the days to come. Some people also went to nearby Akash Ganga to organize picnics with their loved ones to celebrate the first day of the New Year. A huge crowd was also seen at Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati on Monday. On the first day of the year, devotees from different parts of the state waited for hours for their turn to seek the blessings of the Mother Goddess. Devotees also offered Prasad of their choice in the temples. On this occasion, a good number of people also reached other temples located on Neelachal Hill. On the first day of the year, a large number of visitors reached the temples of Lord Ganesha across the city. The temples of Ganeshguri and Khanapara were among the temples that saw the highest number of tourists that day. Another popular destination, Bhimashankar Dham in Pamohi also witnessed a huge footfall as a large number of picnickers en route to the nearby picnic spot Deepor Beel also visited the temple.