Thousands throng Jagannath temple on New Year!

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik was among the thousands to visit Sri Jagannath temple in Puri on Sunday to take the blessings of deities on new year day.

The Chief Minister offered prayers at the temple.

"Hearty greetings for a joyous, peaceful and healthy new year. May 2017 motivate us to work more committedly for progress and prosperity of Odisha," tweeted Patnaik.

Hearty greetings for joyous, peaceful & healthy New Year. May 2017 motivate us to work more committedly for progress & prosperity of Odisha pic.twitter.com/LLKdhdie7t — Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 1, 2017

Lord Jagannath bless all in 2017. My #SandArt at #Puri beach.#HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/iHdDuSJDzH

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) December 31, 2016

Visitors also crowded the Chandrabhaga beach and Konark temple to get a glimpse of the sunrise on the first day of 2017.

Other places in the state, especially tourist spots, were packed with picnickers.

Renowned artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath at the Puri beach to welcome 2017.

Lord Jagannath bless all in 2017. My #SandArt at #Puri beach.#HappyNewYear pic.twitter.com/fPegnklCp7 — Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) January 1, 2017

Artist Manas Kumar Sahoo created a sand sculpture of Jesus Christ at the beach.