Pongal celebrated with gaiety and traditional fervour in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Chennai/ Puducherry, Jan 15: The harvest festival of Pongal was on Thursday celebrated in Tamil Nadu with traditional fervour and gaiety. The celebrations began with a colourful start early this morning.

Streets in various places in cities and rural areas were decked up with intricate drawings made of flour (called Kolam in Tamil). People decorated their homes with mango leaves and strings of flowers.

Special prayers were held at various temples and sweet rice (pongal) was offered to the Sun God.

Pongal falls on the first day of the Tamil month 'Thai,' which is considered as the precursor of hope.

Pongal was celebrated in the union territory Puducherry with traditional zeal and piety. Clad in new garments people turned up at various shrines to offer prayers to presiding deities.

They also exchanged greetings. Lt Governor Lt General (retired) A K Singh, Chief Minister N.Rangasamy, Member of Parliament R.Radhakrishnan, AICC General Secretary V Narayanasamy and a host of leaders greeted the people on the occasion.

PTI