Lucknow rang in the New Year with unprecedented enthusiasm as lakhs of residents and tourists flooded the city's public spaces, setting new records for visitor numbers. From the crack of dawn until late evening on Wednesday, iconic monuments, sprawling parks, the zoo, and popular picnic spots witnessed a sea of people celebrating the start of 2025. Authorities reported a significant surge in footfall compared to previous years, highlighting the city's vibrant public life and its appeal as a holiday destination.
Parks and Heritage Sites Overflow with Visitors
Heritage sites and green spaces managed by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) bore the brunt of the cheerful invasion. Families, groups of friends, and tourists made the most of the holiday, leading to long entry queues at several locations. Janeshwar Mishra Park in Gomtinagar emerged as the most popular spot, attracting a staggering 41,442 visitors and generating revenue of Rs 11.77 lakh.
Other LDA parks also reported impressive numbers. The Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Basant Kunj Scheme welcomed 12,397 people, while the Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Gomtinagar saw 12,117 visitors. Kanshi Ram Green Eco Garden, UP Darshan Park, Happiness Park (Buddha Park), Ram Manohar Lohia Park, and Neembu Park all recorded thousands of happy visitors, contributing to a festive atmosphere across the city.
Historical monuments were not left behind. The iconic Bara Imambara attracted around 6,000 history enthusiasts, and the Residency recorded about 1,250 footfalls. The Gomti riverfront and other recreational areas were packed with picnic-goers who spent long hours outdoors, undeterred by the winter chill.
Zoo Shatters Previous Records and Temples See Massive Devotion
The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden experienced a record-shattering day with 24,592 visitors, far exceeding the 17,507 and 17,630 visitors recorded on New Year's Day in 2024 and 2023 respectively. A major attraction was the newly installed swings at the Children's Park, which delighted 6,692 young guests. The toy train ride and the Butterfly Park also saw healthy numbers.
Lucknow's reputation as a multi-faith hub was further cemented as temples, gurudwaras, and Jain shrines saw a significant rise in devotees. Prominent Hindu temples like Mankameshwar, Hanuman Setu, Aliganj New Hanuman, Chandrika Devi, and Hanumant Dham each witnessed over 1.5 lakh devotees. The New Hanuman Temple alone hosted an estimated 2.5 lakh visitors, showcasing deep spiritual fervor alongside the secular celebrations.
Officials and Visitors Hail Successful Celebrations
Visitors praised the lively yet well-managed environment. Ankit Verma, a college student who visited Janeshwar Mishra Park with friends, shared, "The energy was incredible—it felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate. We spent the whole day enjoying the ambiance and taking photos."
LDA Vice Chairman, Prathmesh Kumar, attributed the high turnout to growing public trust in the city's amenities. "This year's New Year footfall reflects people's confidence in the public spaces developed by LDA. We prioritized proper crowd management, cleanliness, and security across all major sites to ensure everyone could celebrate safely and comfortably," he stated.
Zoo Director Aditi Sharma extended New Year greetings to citizens and credited the record numbers to improved facilities, better maintenance, and a strong focus on cleanliness and visitor safety. The successful day across Lucknow's attractions underscores the city's dynamic spirit and its effective urban management during large-scale public events.
