Hyderabad welcomed 2026 not just with parties but with a strong spiritual vibe. Thousands of residents visited temples early on New Year's Day to seek blessings. At Sri Jagannath Temple in Banjara Hills, large crowds gathered through the morning hours. Similar scenes appeared at Birla Mandir, where long lines stretched along the hill pathway. Waiting times reached up to an hour for darshan. A devotee at Birla Mandir said, "We reached the temple around 12.15 and it took us about an hour to reach the sanctum for darshan. We have been coming here every New Year for many years, and this time the wait was actually shorter compared to previous years." Temple authorities had prepared well for the heavy rush. They set up longer queues, extra laddu counters, drinking water stations, and volunteer help for the elderly and families with children. Police and staff worked to keep things safe and organized. The first day of 2026 thus became a mix of celebration and deep devotion in Hyderabad.