Braving the winter chill, pilgrims patiently waited for their turn, chanting hymns and expressing gratitude as they prepared to seek blessings from the shrine, a tradition many believe brings peace, protection, and prosperity in the year ahead

 Meanwhile, in Prayagraj, the spiritual atmosphere blended with the stark realities of winter, as dense fog enveloped the city on New Year’s Eve

At flower markets, vendors sat waiting for customers, while others carried garlands through the misty streets, hoping to sell offerings meant for temples and household prayers

The foggy morning added a quiet, almost contemplative mood to the bustling markets, as devotees purchased flowers to mark the occasion with rituals and prayers

Further east in Varanasi, one of India’s most revered spiritual centres, the ghats along the Ganga witnessed large crowds of tourists and devotees gathering for the iconic evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat