Chennai, Nov 21: India's Grand Master Viswanathan Anand returned to home city on Thursday, Nov 20 night, 24 days after winning the World Chess Championship title for the third time outplaying Russian Vladimir Kramnic in Bonn in Germany.

The Tamil Nadu Chess Association(TNCA) and the All India Chess Federation arranged a colourful reception at the Chennai international airport to Anand who reached here by a Lufthansa airlines flight along with his wife Aruna. Anand and Aruna were received with the traditional 'poornakumbham' by a priest, the ritual representing Tamil Nadu's culture, and the auspicious notes of nathaswaram. Students of Velammal Group schools and NIIT waving the Tricolour, known for promoting sports in a big way, welcomed Anand along with a few officials of TNCA and AICF.

Anand's parents, mother Susheela and father Viswanathan, also welcomed him at the airport before driving him home.

Anand will also be celebrating his birthday on December 11 at home this time.

UNI