Pongal celebrated with fanfare in Tamil Nadu

Pongal, the harvest festival of Tamil Nadu, was celebrated with usual gaiety and fervour across the state, with people in general and the farming community, in particular, performing poojas, thanking nature for its bounty.

While those in villages celebrated the festival by cooking Pongal, a sweet dish made of rice and jaggery, in the open, celebrations in the city were confined to the kitchens.

The day also marked the birth of the New Tamil Year, heralded by the beginning of the auspicious 'Thai' month, in which various new initiatives are taken  up.
Marriages are also fixed during the month.

The Tamil calendar was revised and the practice of celebrating the Tamil New Year was shifted last year from 'Chithirai' to 'Thai' after the Assembly passed a law in this regard on the "request of Tamil scholars."

State leaders, including Governor SS Barnala, chief minister M Karunanidhi, AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa and MDMK chief Vaiko, among others, greeted people on the occasion.

Devotees thronged famous temples in the state, praying for a good year ahead.

Cinemas were also abuzz with activity with several films being released, as is the case with every festive season.