New Year 2026: UP govt says youths turning to Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura for celebrations

The Uttar Pradesh government claimed that religious places like Kashi, Mathura and Vrindavan have become the most favourite destination for the youths for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. This is a new trend unlike the past when youths used to go to discos, hotels, restaurants, and hill stations to celebrate the new year.

According to a press release, the development of the religious tourist places in the state in more than nine years of the rule of chief minister Yogi Adityanath has attracted thousands of youths to offer their prayer at the temples in Kashi, Mathura and Vrindavan to welcome the New Year. “This is the wave of spiritual and cultural renaissance that has arisen from Uttar Pradesh, in which not only the youth of the state but the youth of the entire country, boys and girls are participating with new zeal and enthusiasm,” the UP-government’s release claimed.

The state’s tourism department has also said that a high number of young tourists have already arrived at major pilgrimage sites like Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan and Prayagraj, days ahead of the New Year.


“On 29-30 December alone, more than 5 lakh tourists reached Ayodhya to have darshan of Lord Shri Ram, while in the last three days, 10 lakh tourists visited Kashi Vishwanath Corridor and more than 3 lakh tourists visited Mathura. The number of young tourists is the highest among these. More devotees are expected to arrive on 31 December and 1 January, keeping this in mind, the administration has made special security arrangements and has also issued guidelines for convenience,” the release further mentioned.

The release said the social media is also highlighting the enthusiasm among young people to celebrate the New Year at religious sites. “Hashtags like "New Year 2026 in Ayodhya," "New Year 2026 in Kashi," or "Spiritual New Year" are trending,” the release further mentioned.

According to the release, the restoration and cultural revival of religious sites in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has awakened a sense of spiritual fervour and cultural renaissance among the youth.

Quoting Vishwa Bhushan Mishra, Chief Executive Officer of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi, the release said, "Sanatan culture is a haven for celebration, enthusiasm, and joy. All festivals in the world find their culmination in Sanatan beliefs. Folk festivals often reflect the behaviour of the current government."

Apart from the CM Yogi Adityanath's efforts, the inauguration of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, and the restoration of ancient temples in the state, including Mathura-Vrindavan, Teerthraj Prayagraj, Vindhyachal, Naimisharanya, Sambhal, and Shukratirtha (Shukratal) in Muzaffarnagar, have contributed to a renewed interest in Sanatan culture and traditions, especially among the youth.