Gen-Z Flocks to Temples for New Year 2026: Faith Over Parties in Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura

• Gen-Z is increasingly choosing religious sites like temples over parties and trending spots to celebrate New Year 2026, prioritizing faith and culture.
• Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Temple witnessed such a surge of youth that the darshan system was altered, allowing entry through five gates, with over 2 million visitors.
• In Mathura, young devotees welcomed the New Year with "Radhe-Radhe" chants and drums, filling temple corridors with festive and devotional spirit.
• Ayodhya saw long queues of young devotees bathing at Saryu Ghat and visiting temples despite cold and fog, showcasing a strong attraction to religious places.
• This trend highlights a significant shift, with Gen-Z finding unmatched joy in faith and cultural experiences during the New Year.

Why It Matters: Gen-Z embraces faith and culture, making temples the new New Year destination across India.