Revellers Welcome 2018 Enthusiastically In Bhubaneswar

Photograph: Ashok Panda

Bhubaneswar: Marking the beginning of 2018, thousands of revellers
thronged temples, churches and mosques in Bhubaneswar on Monday.

A large turnout of devotees was witnessed at major temples, including
Shirdi Sai Mandir, Ram Mandir, Lingaraj, Chintamaniswar temples to
seek blessings of the presiding deities.

All the picnic spots and tourist destinations remained crowded
throughout the day. Huge queues were also seen at Nandankanan
Zoological Park, which remained open to visitors despite being a
Monday.

People have started hectic preparations for parties, dinner and picnic
to mark the occasion.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited Puri Jagannath Temple
and offered prayers to the trinity.

After having darshan, Patnaik said, “I prayed to Lord Jagannath for
the well-being of the people of Odisha.”