Tamil Nadu celebrates Diwali with grandeur

Chennai, Nov 8: Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated across Tamil Nadu with religious fervour and enthusiasm.

The celebrations began early morning, with the devouts making a beeline for temples to offer prayers. Special poojas were performed in all the temples, where serpentine queues were witnessed.

Clad in new clothes, people exchanged greetings and sweets with their brethren.

The festival proved to be a bumper season for movie buffs, with seven Tamil films hitting the screens. Leading the pack were the flicks of top heroes Vijay and Surya -- 'Azhagiya Tamil Magan' and 'Vel' respectively. The other movies were 'Kannamoochi Yaenada', 'Agra', 'Machakaran', 'Pollathavan' and 'Nizhal'.

Besides, the private satellite channels have a line up of special film-based and other programmes, vying for the attention of the viewers.

Meanwhile, police have made tight security arrangements and stepped up vigil across the city in view of the festival. Besides deploying 5,000 policemen, 125 patrol vehicles were pressed into service to keep a watch in the crowded areas.

Watch towers have been erected in all important areas and dog and bomb-disposal squads have also been deployed, police sources said.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and various political party leaders have greeted the people of the State on the occasion.

UNI