Patnaites start 2025 with prayers at temples, gurdwara | Patna News – Times of India
Patna: Thousands of Patnaites braved the inclement weather and stood in long serpentine queues at various temples across Patna and Takhat Sri Harimandir ji Patna Sahib gurdwara since the early hours to seek divine blessings at the start of the new year on Wednesday.
Mahavir Mandir, the landmark temple near Patna Junction, and one of the oldest and most revered in the city, and comparatively new Iskcon temple witnessed an unprecedented surge of devotees. A similar scene was witnessed at Rajbanshi Nagar Hanuman Mandir and Khajpura Shiva temple among others.
Patan Devi, Shitala Mata Mandir and Jalla Hanuman Mandir were among the popular shrines in Patna City that witnessed such massive influx of devotees.
The temples were decorated with flowers, lights, and colourful rangolis, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The temple authorities made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the large number of devotees.
More than 3.5 lakh people visited the Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple on the first day of 2025, said spokesperson Nand Gopal Das.
“Eight tonnes of kheer was prepared as prasad. The temple was decorated with colourful lights and 5,000 kilogram of flowers,” Das said, adding extensive security arrangements were made with four magistrates and police officers each, 22 police personnel and 100 private security guards.
The Mahavir Mandir authorities estimated that over two lakh devotees visited the temple on the first day of the new year, with many arriving there as early as 4am, even before the gates opened. The temple was kept open from 5am to 11pm.
“A large LED screen was installed for live darshan of the deity. For sale of its iconic ‘naivedyam’ laddoo, 10 counters were set up near the temple entrance. Over 12,500kg of ‘naivedyam’ was sold on the first day of 2025,” said Dr L B Singh, medical superintendent of Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, an entity under the temple trust.
However, devotees missed Acharya Kishore Kunal, who reconstructed the Mahavir temple and linked it to philanthropy. Amid the chants of “Jai Siyaram-Jai Hanuman”, slogans of “Kishore Kunal amar rahe” also resonated. A picture of Kunal was placed at the exit gate for devotees to pay their respects. Devotees also offered floral tributes to the picture of Kunal.
For assistance, 100 private security personnel and 50 volunteers were deployed by the Mahavir temple. To facilitate quick worship in the sanctum sanctorum, 15 priests, including six from Ayodhya, were deployed. Continuous monitoring of the crowd was maintained with CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, around one lakh devotees visited the Rahbanshi Nagar Hanuman Mandir. “Separate entrances were arranged for men and women, besides barricading was also done on the temple premises. More than 1,000 kilograms of ‘naivedyam’ were sold by the temple administration,” said Rakesh Kumari Tiwari, priest of the Rajbanshi Nagar Hanuman temple.
The mahant of Patan Devi temple, Vijay Shankar Giri, said that they have been witnessing a large number of devotees on the first day of every year for decades. The temple doors were opened at 5am on Wednesday for the devotees who came in large numbers, chanting “Jai Mata Di”.
Rajesh Kumar, a devotee from Kankarbagh, said, “I visit the Patan Devi temple on the first day of every year to seek the Goddess’s blessings.”
Takhat Sri Harimandir ji Patna Sahib gurdwara held special prayers and langar services, which more than 50,000 people visiting the holy place on the first day of 2025. President of its management committee, Jagjot Singh Sodhi, said a special prasad of ‘halwa’ was prepared for the devotees, while ‘langar’ of roti, rice, vegetable, jalebi and kheer was served in the morning, noon and evening.
Devotees said that visiting places of worship on the first day of the year brings them peace. “We welcome the New Year by seeking the blessings of the divine,” said one Ravi Kumar.
A newly-wed couple, who visited the Shitala temple, said, “We came to seek the Goddess’s blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.”
Mahavir Mandir, the landmark temple near Patna Junction, and one of the oldest and most revered in the city, and comparatively new Iskcon temple witnessed an unprecedented surge of devotees. A similar scene was witnessed at Rajbanshi Nagar Hanuman Mandir and Khajpura Shiva temple among others.
Patan Devi, Shitala Mata Mandir and Jalla Hanuman Mandir were among the popular shrines in Patna City that witnessed such massive influx of devotees.
The temples were decorated with flowers, lights, and colourful rangolis, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The temple authorities made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the large number of devotees.
More than 3.5 lakh people visited the Iskcon (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) temple on the first day of 2025, said spokesperson Nand Gopal Das.
“Eight tonnes of kheer was prepared as prasad. The temple was decorated with colourful lights and 5,000 kilogram of flowers,” Das said, adding extensive security arrangements were made with four magistrates and police officers each, 22 police personnel and 100 private security guards.
The Mahavir Mandir authorities estimated that over two lakh devotees visited the temple on the first day of the new year, with many arriving there as early as 4am, even before the gates opened. The temple was kept open from 5am to 11pm.
“A large LED screen was installed for live darshan of the deity. For sale of its iconic ‘naivedyam’ laddoo, 10 counters were set up near the temple entrance. Over 12,500kg of ‘naivedyam’ was sold on the first day of 2025,” said Dr L B Singh, medical superintendent of Mahavir Cancer Sansthan, an entity under the temple trust.
However, devotees missed Acharya Kishore Kunal, who reconstructed the Mahavir temple and linked it to philanthropy. Amid the chants of “Jai Siyaram-Jai Hanuman”, slogans of “Kishore Kunal amar rahe” also resonated. A picture of Kunal was placed at the exit gate for devotees to pay their respects. Devotees also offered floral tributes to the picture of Kunal.
For assistance, 100 private security personnel and 50 volunteers were deployed by the Mahavir temple. To facilitate quick worship in the sanctum sanctorum, 15 priests, including six from Ayodhya, were deployed. Continuous monitoring of the crowd was maintained with CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, around one lakh devotees visited the Rahbanshi Nagar Hanuman Mandir. “Separate entrances were arranged for men and women, besides barricading was also done on the temple premises. More than 1,000 kilograms of ‘naivedyam’ were sold by the temple administration,” said Rakesh Kumari Tiwari, priest of the Rajbanshi Nagar Hanuman temple.
The mahant of Patan Devi temple, Vijay Shankar Giri, said that they have been witnessing a large number of devotees on the first day of every year for decades. The temple doors were opened at 5am on Wednesday for the devotees who came in large numbers, chanting “Jai Mata Di”.
Rajesh Kumar, a devotee from Kankarbagh, said, “I visit the Patan Devi temple on the first day of every year to seek the Goddess’s blessings.”
Takhat Sri Harimandir ji Patna Sahib gurdwara held special prayers and langar services, which more than 50,000 people visiting the holy place on the first day of 2025. President of its management committee, Jagjot Singh Sodhi, said a special prasad of ‘halwa’ was prepared for the devotees, while ‘langar’ of roti, rice, vegetable, jalebi and kheer was served in the morning, noon and evening.
Devotees said that visiting places of worship on the first day of the year brings them peace. “We welcome the New Year by seeking the blessings of the divine,” said one Ravi Kumar.
A newly-wed couple, who visited the Shitala temple, said, “We came to seek the Goddess’s blessings for a happy and prosperous married life.”
