The city of Vijayawada ushered in the New Year with an infectious blend of high-spirited revelry and deep devotion, transforming its major arteries into vibrant party zones and its temples into hubs of spiritual activity on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.
Streets Turn into Carnival Grounds
As midnight approached, a wave of celebrants flooded onto the streets. Key thoroughfares like Bandar Road and Eluru Road became the epicenters of joy, where groups of youngsters marked the occasion by lighting firecrackers and riding motorcycles, generating a carnival-like energy. The enthusiasm was palpable across the city, with music concerts pulling in large audiences, families hosting private gatherings in their apartment complexes, and hotels and restaurants reporting full occupancy from as early as noon.
Despite prior appeals from the police department urging people to avoid celebrating on main roads, the festivities continued unabated on Bandar Road, Sikkim Road, Siddhartha College Road, and Eluru Road. Some youths were even observed performing bike stunts and setting off firecrackers amidst the crowds.
Heightened Security for a Peaceful Transition
Anticipating the large gatherings, the Vijayawada Police had ramped up security measures and intensified patrolling across the city to prevent any untoward incidents or clashes. A special directive was also enforced to ensure that no political banners were displayed during the celebrations. Leading from the front, Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu was on night patrol duty and participated in the spirit of the occasion by cutting a New Year cake at the KS Vyas Bhavan on Bandar Road.
Spiritual Dawn for Devotees
The festive mood seamlessly transitioned from partying to prayers as Thursday morning dawned. All major temples in Vijayawada witnessed an overwhelming rush of devotees seeking divine blessings for the year ahead. At the renowned Kanakadurga temple, devotees had to wait in queues for nearly two hours for darshan due to the exceptionally high footfall. Similarly, long lines formed at the Venkatapalem temple, where people gathered to seek the blessings of Lord Venkateswara Swamy, choosing to begin their New Year on a note of spirituality and piety.
The dual nature of the celebrations—combining youthful exuberance on the streets with traditional devotion at temples—painted a complete picture of how Vijayawada embraced the promise of 2025.
