Bengaluru, Jan 1 (IANS) After thousands of revellers boisterously ushered in the New Year in the early hours of Thursday, lakhs of people across Karnataka also observed Vaikuntha Ekadeshi, considered an auspicious day to worship Hindu god Vishnu and observe fast.
As the New Year dawned, devout Hindus, including young and old, men and women woke up early and visited temples of Vishnu and his incarnations like Lord Rama and Lord Krishna to offer special prayers, conduct rituals, and began day-long fast.
The fast is to propitiate Vishnu and secure one's salvation in this birth and and direct passage to his abode in heaven.
In the state capital Bengaluru, hundreds of devotees thronged prominent temples across the city, including that of Lord Krishna built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskon) in northwest suburb, braving morning chill and drizzle.
"With Ekadashi (11th day of the Hindu lunar calendar) coinciding with the New Year day, people turned up in large numbers to seek Lord Vishnu's blessings for reaching his abode directly, as heaven open up its doors on this pious day," an Iskon priest told IANS.
Though the New Year revelry was incident-free, security remained tight, with police keeping heightened vigil in public places, markets, malls, airport, bus terminals and railway stations across the city to ensure peace and maintain law and order.
In view of the city being on high alert following a bomb blast Dec 28 at an eatery on Church Street in downtown, police dispersed early thousands of revellers who flocked to the upscale M.G. Road, fashionable Brigade Road and the bustling Commercial Street to herald the New Year.
"The New Year fest has been peaceful though noisy. No untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the city. People dispersed orderly after partying without fear from public venues," Additional Police Commissioner Alok Kumar told IANS later.
Braving wintry chill and overlooking restrictions imposed by police to maintain law and order, young techies, college students, professionals and boys and girls jostled for space to do a jig, dance to rock music or swing to lilting filmy songs.
"We extended closure timing of pubs, bars, eateries and hotels to 1 a.m. from 11:30 p.m. Wednesday so as to allow people enjoy the New Year fest. It's a great relief all agreed to abide by the order," Kumar asserted.
About 3,000 police personnel, including contingents from the city armed constabulary, the rapid action force and the state reserve force were deployed in the central business district to ensure peaceful celebration of the New Year.
Apart from banning parking and vehicular traffic from 8 p.m. till 1 a.m. in downtown, major inter-sections and main thoroughfares, all flyovers across the city were blocked till 6 a.m. to prevent drunken driving and drag racing.
'Free education from KG to PG, ₹1000 per month to SC students', Part-2 of BJP's manifesto released
The Bharatiya Janata Party released the second part of its Sankalp Patra on Tuesday given the Delhi Assembly elections. During this, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Anurag Thakur said,
Arvind Kejriwal: Kejriwal will play an emotional card in Haryana...but the path is not so easy for the AAP
After getting bail from the Supreme Court in the Excise Policy Scam case, Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi will now focus on the Haryana Assembly elections after leaving the post of Chief Minister. As a part
Aamir Khan salutes Park Street rape victim's courage
Kolkata, March 14 (IANS) Condoling the passing away of the Park Street rape survivor, who died here of encephalitis, a "shocked" and "deeply distraught" Aamir Khan said he was "overwhelmed" by her
Lumpy Virus: Lumpy spread to 251 districts of 15 states, about one lakh cows died
The lumpy virus has taken a frightening form in the country. The virus has spread to 251 districts of 15 states and has engulfed more than 20.56 lakh cows. About one lakh cows have died. In Rajasthan,
Cabinet expansion in Haryana soon: Yadav, women, and the world community will get representation, they are sure to become number two.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini may soon expand his cabinet after meeting PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President JP Nadda. Efforts will be made to maintain caste
CUET 2022: Where and for what level questions will be asked in CUET and for how long will the admit card be issued, know here
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is being conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) from this year onwards for admission to the central universities of the country. However, keeping in
Colombia's Paulina Vega wins Miss Universe 2014 title
Miami, Jan 26 (IANS) Paulina Vega of Colombia was Sunday night crowned Miss Universe 2014.Miss USA Nia Sanchez was crowned first runner-up, while Diana Harkusha from Ukraine was named the second
The company has increased the price of the Redmi Note 10 Pro, this is the new price of the phone with a 64 MP camera
The company has increased the price of Xiaomi's Redmi Note 10 Pro, one of the biggest smartphone companies in China. The price of the phone has been increased by Rs 500. After which the price of 6GB
PM meets Guyanese president, Mauritius minister
Gandhinagar, Jan 8 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday held bilateral meetings with Guyanese President Donald Ramotar, Mauritius Vice Premier Showkutally Soodhun and South African Foreign
Ratan Tata's simplicity will win your heart: He had breakfast in his hotel, and did not even reveal his identity; when he made the payment, everyone was surprised.
The life of the country's reputed industrialist Ratan Tata was very simple. He used to stay in his hotel without revealing his identity. He even used to pay the entire bill. IBS Software's Executive
