Bhubaneswar: Performances by artistes, DJ shows, live orchestras, concerts and dazzling displays of fireworks marked zero hour celebrations at various party hotspots in the twin cities as residents ushered in the New Year.
The morning after, however, saw people visiting temples across the state to pray for a perfect start to the New Year.
The decibel level at parties in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack hit fever pitch as people let their hair down and enjoyed the year's last night to the fullest prior to the countdown at midnight. Couples, friends, and families with children danced their way to the 2018 at the parties hosted at various hotels.
Firework shows at midnight, charming performances by international dancers and EDM music by DJs ensured an unlimited outpour of spirits at parties at Hotel Hindusthan International and Hotel VITS in Bhubaneswar and Hotel Mahodadhi Palace in Puri.
People across the state started the first day of the New Year on an auspicious note by offering special prayers at various shrines and temples. Temples such as Lingaraj, Iskcon, Jaleswar and Satya Nagar Kali Bari witnessed a surge in crowds that thronged the shrines to pray for an auspicious New Year.
Since early morning people started making a beeline to various temples, including the Chandi Mandir, Panchamukhi Hanuman and Ram Mandir and Gadagadeswar temple, in various parts of Cuttack.
The Jagannath temple in Puri, as always, drew the biggest crowd with lakhs of devotees thronging the 12th century shrine. The temple of Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur, was abound with activities, while hundreds of people also visited the Manikeswari Temple in Bhawanipatna to seek blessings of the goddess.
Sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik created a sculpture of lord Jagannath on the Puri beach. The 30ft high and 60ft wide sculpture was a hit with tourists, who snapped several pictures as a memento.
"There could be no better way of welcoming the New Year than paying tribute to lord Jagannath. Me and my students have been planning this for the past few months and I am very happy that people are coming forward and asking about the intricacies of the sculpture," said Patnaik.
Several people planned small outings to tourist spots in the vicinity of the state capital ahead of New Year as well. A number of cultural programmes were hosted at various auditoriums here as well.
A number of youngsters in the city released sky lanterns at zero hour to welcome the New Year. "I released a lantern from my terrace. I was doubtful whether it would be available, and I didn't want to take any chances. So, I had stocked up from Diwali," said corporate employee Ankur Maharana.
A number of people also hosted parties at their homes while youth groups spent the night at orphan homes and special schools and celebrated the New Year with underprivileged children.
