As January 1 dawned, India greeted 2026 with striking morning scenes across regions, from fresh snowfall in the north to coastal gatherings in the south, marking the year’s first sunrise with calm, colour and quiet celebration.

Snowy start in Jammu and Kashmir

In Jammu and Kashmir, fresh snow blanketed Sonamarg, creating picturesque morning visuals on the first day of 2026. The snow-covered landscape set a serene tone as daylight slowly broke over the region.

Sunrise State lives up to its name

Andhra Pradesh’s Araku Valley, often called part of the ‘Sunrise State’, witnessed the first sunrise of 2026 amid rolling hills. The early morning light spread across the valley, reinforcing its reputation for iconic dawn views.

Early light across the Northeast

In Assam, the first sunrise of 2026 was seen from Guwahati. The morning visuals captured the city as the new year began with soft daylight over the Brahmaputra region.

Mist and movement in Madhya Pradesh

Tourists gathered at Jabalpur’s Dhuandhar Waterfall in Madhya Pradesh to welcome the year’s first sunrise. Misty cascades shimmered in the morning light, drawing visitors to the riverfront at daybreak.

Spiritual mornings in Uttar Pradesh and Odisha

In Uttar Pradesh, visuals from Ayodhya showed the first sunrise of 2026 breaking over the temple town, marking a calm and symbolic start to the year.

In Odisha, Puri witnessed the first sunrise along its coast, with early morning scenes reflecting a quiet New Year beginning.

Coastal dawns in Goa and Tamil Nadu

Goa saw the first sunrise of 2026 along its shoreline, as daylight spread over the beaches.

Further south, in Tamil Nadu, people gathered at Mukkadal Sangamam in Kanniyakumari to witness the first sunrise of the year, welcoming the New Year by the sea where the land meets the water.