New Year 2026 Rush: Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakal Suspend VIP Darshan; Vrindavan Issues Advisory

As the countdown to New Year 2026 begins, India’s most revered pilgrimage centres are witnessing an unprecedented surge of devotees, prompting authorities to enforce crowd-control measures and issue public advisories. From north to west India, temples and temple towns are grappling with lakhs of visitors arriving simultaneously to mark the year-end with prayers and rituals.

In Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of Hinduism’s holiest shrines, temple authorities have suspended all VIP and protocol darshan until further notice. The decision was taken as massive queues stretched across adjoining lanes, with devotees lining up from early morning hours. Drone visuals from Varanasi showed a sea of people moving steadily towards the Ganga ghats, underscoring the scale of the rush.

A similar situation has unfolded in Ujjain, where the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga has also halted VIP darshan. Temple officials said the move was necessary to ensure safety and smooth flow of devotees, as daily footfall has crossed all recent records in the run-up to the New Year. Security personnel, volunteers, and local administration teams are working round the clock to prevent overcrowding and manage queues.

In Vrindavan, the situation has become so intense that the administration of the Banke Bihari Temple issued a rare advisory urging devotees to postpone their visits unless absolutely necessary. Narrow streets leading to the temple are heavily congested, with frequent traffic jams making movement difficult for pilgrims and residents alike. Authorities have appealed for cooperation, stressing that safety remains the top priority.

Other major pilgrimage destinations are also experiencing extraordinary pressure. In Puri, crowds have surged around the Jagannath temple precincts, while the Somnath Temple in Gujarat has reported a sharp rise in footfall as devotees combine year-end holidays with religious travel. Local administrations in these cities have increased police deployment, activated emergency response teams, and enhanced surveillance to handle the influx.

Officials across states say the convergence of holidays, improved connectivity, and a growing trend of spiritual tourism has contributed to the scale of the rush this year. While devotees have praised the improved infrastructure and beautification of temple areas, authorities continue to caution against overcrowding and urge pilgrims to follow advisories, timings, and queue systems strictly.

With several days still left before New Year celebrations conclude, administrations remain on high alert. The focus, officials say, is to balance faith and festivity with safety and order, ensuring that the spiritual experience of devotees does not turn into a logistical or security challenge.