2026 begins with spiritual fervour as devotees pack Mysuru temples

New Year dawns with devotion in Mysuru

The first day of 2026 saw Mysuru’s temples buzzing with activity as thousands of devotees lined up from early morning to offer prayers. Many arrived before sunrise, eager to begin the year with a spiritual touch.

From the iconic Sri Chamundeshwari Temple on the hilltop to the ancient Sri Prasanna Krishna Swamy Temple in the city centre, queues stretched long. Families, groups of friends, and elderly couples stood patiently, often for over an hour, to catch a glimpse of the deity.

Rituals and offerings mark the occasion

Temple authorities had made special arrangements for the rush. Extra counters for prasada distribution and token systems for darshan were put in place. Devotees offered coconuts, flowers, and incense, while priests chanted mantras and performed abhishekam for the idols.

At the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, a special ‘Maha Mangalarati’ was conducted at dawn. The atmosphere was thick with the smell of camphor and sandalwood, and the sound of bells filled the air. Many devotees carried small diaries or phones to note down the ‘prasada’ blessings.

Why temples see a New Year surge

Local residents said the trend of visiting temples on January 1 has grown steadily over the past decade. For many, it is a way to seek divine blessings for health, prosperity, and success in the coming months. Business owners and students were seen in large numbers, offering special prayers for their ventures and exams.

“It feels right to start the year with God,” said R. Shanthi, a homemaker who had come with her family to the Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy Temple in the city. “We did this last year too, and it gave us peace.”

Police manage crowds without incident

The Mysuru city police deployed additional personnel at major temple locations to manage the crowds and ensure smooth traffic flow. No untoward incidents were reported. Volunteers from local youth groups helped guide elderly devotees and those with children.

Parking lots near temples filled up by 8 am, forcing many to park at a distance and walk. Auto-rickshaws and city buses saw increased demand, especially on routes connecting residential areas to temple zones.

What the numbers tell

While temple authorities did not release official footfall figures, estimates from multiple shrines suggest that over 50,000 devotees visited key temples in Mysuru on January 1. This is comparable to the rush seen during major festivals like Dasara or Deepavali.

The trend is not unique to Mysuru. Temples in Bengaluru, Udupi, and other Karnataka cities also reported heavy crowds. However, Mysuru’s temple culture, with its mix of heritage and devotion, makes it a focal point for such spiritual starts.

As the day progressed, the crowds thinned but did not disappear. Even by late evening, small groups continued to arrive at the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, hoping to squeeze in one last prayer before the day ended.

The spiritual start to 2026 sets the tone for what many hope will be a year of peace and prosperity. Temple authorities are already planning for the next big rush — the Makara Sankranti festival later this month.