Hyderabad: People in large numbers flocked to temples on Friday to seek blessings of the God on the first day of the New Year, thanks to the public holiday announced by the TS government.
Yadadri temple was the top choice as large number of devotees visited Yadagirigutta to hold special prayers. Lord Venkateshwara temples at TTD temple, Liberty, Birla Mandir and Chikkadpally witnessed heavy rush.
The Saibaba temples in Panjagutta, Amberpet, Gowliguda and Dilsukhnagar were crowded with devotees. Long queues were witnessed at Peddamma Talli temple and Daiva Sannidhanam temple in Jubilee Hills.
The Telangana government declaring a public holiday for New Year for the first time was cited as the reason for heavy rush in temples. The Second Saturday in February would be a working day. People also visited temples in Yadagirigutta, Basar, Karimnagar, Warangal and Nizamabad.
Travel agencies did a brisk business with good bookings for four-wheelers. “The bookings were huge for Yadadri due to its proximity” said G.Purushotham of city-based Aditya Travels.
