Odisha heralds New Year 2025 with vibrant celebrations

As midnight marked the arrival of New Year 2025, Odisha was awash with celebrations. The skies were ablaze with fireworks, complemented by spectacular laser lights, creating a dazzling spectacle in places ranging from urban streets to railway stations, all adorned with cheerful ‘Happy New Year’ banners.

Communities across the State welcomed January with vibrant fervour that went beyond the traditional club and party scenes. 
Devotees flocked to sacred sites for spiritual blessings, with many immersing themselves in the waters at Puri beach.

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Temples and spiritual centres were bustling with activity as worshippers sought darshan and offered prayers. Notable places such as Maa Chandi temple in Cuttack, Jagannath temple in Puri, Maa Samaleswari temple in Sambalpur, and Lord Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar etc saw large congregations of devotees. Maa Sarala temple in Jagatsinghpur resonated with chants, while Bhadrak paid tribute to Lord Akhandalamani through an array of offerings.

The New Year spirit was not confined to temples. At the Gurudwars and Churches across Odisha, visitors marked the occasion with reverence reflecting their faiths. Several leisure destinations also thrived with full of activities.

Visitor numbers swelled at popular spots like Konark, Nandankanan and others. Early morning markets buzzed with flower and sweet vendors, alongside stalls selling meat to cater to diverse culinary preferences, as home gatherings embraced the New Year spirit with festive feasts.

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Worth mentioning, the Excise Department had executed stringent measures for the Zero Night celebrations, with no temporary licenses issued for the occasion. Moreover, the Department is vigilantly monitoring illegal liquor sales. The State government is pursuing strict actions against those involved in such trade, Excise Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said earlier.

In addition, the Excise Minister expressed that strict directives have been issued to maintain robust inspections up until the end of January 2025.