Chennaiities celebrate New Year with gaiety

Chennai, Jan 1 (UNI) People in this teeming metropolis todayh celebrated New Year with gaiety and enthusiasm.

Special poojas were performed in temples and midnight mass were conducted in churches.

Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), the administrator of the famed Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, made special arrangements to distribute one lakh 'laddus' to devotees visiting its temple here to mark the occasion.

Long queues were seen in front of the famous Vadapalani Murugan temple and the Kalikambal temple here.

Special midnight mass was conducted at the famous Santhome Church.

A large number of people, who thronged the beach here to celebrate New Year exchanged greetings.

Security was beefed up in all the places of worship.

About 5,000 police personnel were deployed and police pickets were posted at places of worship where prayers or New Year celebrations were held.

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