Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: New Year was welcomed at zero hour Friday with the fervor that has come to typify the occasion. People also spent New Year’s Day engaged in other activities of their choice.
Temples in the city saw big crowds. Lingaraj temple in Old Town, Mukteshvara Temple and Ram Mandir were among the hotspots that the devout chose to give the new year a sacred beginning.
“It was a bit cold in the morning but we had decided we will start our new year by worshipping God and seeking his blessings for the whole year,” Sanjay Behera, a city-based businessman who had come to Lingaraj temple, said.
Besides temples, tourist spots were the other major crowdpullers this year, too. The Santi Stupa at Dhauli witnessed a huge crowd. Many drove to the site and enjoyed the day in groups.
“We had wanted to celebrate the day in a different way. We hit upon the plan to visit Dhauli December 31. It is a tranquil and scenic spot and we wanted the maiden day of the new year to be spent at such a place. Spending time with family members away from the city, on a hilltop gives joy,” Namrata Sisodia, a homemaker who had come to Dhauli, said.
Groups of youths were also seen at picnic spots and such other places of public gathering, reaffirming their ties of friendship. Many visited the Indira Gandhi Park near the secretariat. Selfies with friends was among the activities that topped the list of New Year activities.
Narayan Patel, a student of engineering from city-based ITER College, had come to IG Park considering its location to be an ideal meeting point with buddies. “It is easy for us all to meet here. It affords everyone space and the ambience is attractive,” Patel said.
The Regional Museum of Natural History was a top destination for families with kids. Khandgiri and Udayagiri caves were another prominent New Year hangout.
At another end of the spectrum, some less fortunate children got to celebrate New Year with some colour. Inmates of Adruta Children Home for parentless and unclaimed children spent the day in cultural presentations as part of the concluding day of a two-day event organised for them at Tirumala Tirupati Kalyan Mandap, Jaidev Vihar. As many as 450 inmates drawn from 11 units across the state participated in the event.
Educationist Radhamohan and district collector of Khurda Niranjan Sahoo were special invitees. They urged the children to harness their positive energy and wished them a bright future.
