Millions flock to MP for New Year:Darshan systems updated at major temples, including Mahakal, to manage devotee footfall; check revised timings

With the arrival of the New Year, Madhya Pradesh is witnessing a surge of devotees and tourists. Religious and tourist places are seeing huge crowds. From Lord Mahakal in Ujjain to Maihar Mata Temple, Khajrana Ganesh in Indore, and Kanha-Bandhavgarh forests, people are flocking in large numbers. Hotel bookings are almost full, and arrangements have been made to manage the crowds. Around 10 to 12 lakh devotees are expected at Mahakal alone. Mahakal Temple, Ujjain: Millions expected Hotel status: Most hotels near the temple are fully booked. Only distant hotels and dharamshalas have rooms available. Online-bookable dharamshalas are almost full. Estimated crowd: Normally, 1.2 lakh devotees visit daily. On weekends, 1.5 to 1.75 lakh devotees arrive. From December 25 to January 31, about 6 lakh devotees are expected. By New Year, around 12 lakh devotees may visit. Darshan arrangements: General devotees enter through Mansarovar Gate, proceed via a tunnel to Ganesh Mandapam, and exit via Bada Ganesh Temple. Quick darshan is available for Rs 250, with mobile phones and footwear deposited before entering. Changes due to crowd: Protocol darshan is suspended from December 27 to January 5. Only VVIPs get special darshan. Bhasma Aarti tickets are available offline. Police have arranged parking outside the city as inner parking is full. Temple statement: Assistant Administrator Ashish Falwadia said millions visit the temple annually. Arrangements are in place for safe darshan, and crowds could reach 12 lakh by New Year. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain: 8-10 lakh devotees Hotel status: Hotels are crowded and bookings are fast. Estimated crowd: Around 8 to 10 lakh devotees are expected by New Year. Darshan arrangements: Protocol system is discontinued. Devotees follow seven layers of barricades, taking about two hours to complete darshan. Crowd management: Drinking water, toilets, and medical teams are provided. Vehicles are parked on the Shipra river bank. 50 police officers and 30 private security personnel are deployed. Khajrana Ganesh Temple, Indore: Entry closed at 11 PM Hotel status: Many hotels are booked, but rooms are still available due to the city’s large hotel capacity. Estimated crowd: 8 to 10 lakh devotees expected, especially from outside the city. Darshan arrangements: Entry closes at 11 PM on December 31. Devotees inside participate in 12 AM aarti. Entry resumes at 4 AM on January 1. Four lines guide devotees to the deity. Crowd management: Police from four stations, 90 CCTV cameras, 60 guards, and temporary barricades manage the crowd. VIP darshan arrangements are in place. Baglamukhi Temple, Agar-Malwa: 4 lakh devotees Hotel status: Local hotels in Nalkheda fully booked. Rooms available at district HQ and Susner, 35 km away. Estimated crowd: Normal days see 10-20 thousand visitors. On weekends, 50-70 thousand. From December 28 to January 31, about 2 lakh; by New Year, 4 lakh expected. Darshan arrangements: General devotees enter via main gate and follow barricades. Protocol darshan suspended for all except VVIPs. Police manage parking outside the city. Sharda Mata Temple, Maihar: Over 1 lakh devotees Hotel status: Hotels and pilgrim accommodations are prepared. Only a few offer online booking. Darshan arrangements: VIP darshan prohibited. All arrangements similar to Navratri fair. Online scanners and 12 four-wheelers deployed for transport. Crowd management: 300 police personnel deployed, with additional forces requested. Three parking areas designated. Convenient darshan available for Rs 1,100, including ropeway transport and prasad. Kanha Tiger Reserve, Mandla: 150 hotels booked Hotel status: Most hotels near Khatia, Mukki, and Sarhi gates fully booked. Safari tickets for all zones full until January 4. Estimated crowd: Normally 700-800 tourists daily. Numbers expected to double for New Year. Management changes: DJ and fireworks banned from December 18 to January 5. Excise force deployed to prevent illegal liquor transport. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Umaria: Hotels full, safari tickets sold out Hotel status: Over 70 resorts fully booked. Tickets in core areas full until January 10. Estimated crowd: Huge influx of tourists, with multiple applications for remaining offline tickets. Price changes: Hotels that cost Rs 4,500 now cost Rs 6,500-7,000. Seven-star hotels also increased by 20%. Management: Officers deployed at all gates. Monitoring increased. Immediate action against illegal activity. Khajuraho: Foreign tourists join the festivities Hotel status: Star and budget hotels fully booked. Estimated crowd: 17,000 tourists this weekend; 20,000 expected on New Year. Arrangements: 57 SIS guards deployed, parking closed for Western Group of Temples. Entry lines for men, women, and foreign tourists. Special programmes: DJ, orchestra, live music, gala dinner, fireworks, and dance events organised in hotels and streets. Police and administration managing crowd and security. Pachmarhi and Narmadapuram: Peak tourist season Hotel status: All 2,000 rooms in Pachmarhi fully booked. Hotels in Pipariya also full. Arrangements: New Year parties in hotels, special menu dishes, crowd control by local police. Tourist management: Visitors queue for STR park bookings, with additional rooms used by locals during peak crowd.