Chennai, Jan 1 (UNI) The people of this teeming megapolis ushered

in the New year with spiritual fervour and traditional gaiety in Tamil Nadu.

As the clock struck 12, shouts of 'Happy New Year' rent the air,

fireworks lit up the skies and people burst crackers as people

bade farewell to COVID-hit 2020 and ushered in 2021.

However, the celebrations were a low key one in view of the

covid pandemic and the new mutant variant emerging in the UK.

The world famous Marina beach front, were lakhs of people used

to congregate every year, wore a deserted look as the Tamil Nadu

government banned New year fete in public in view of the pandemic.

All the beach fronts and the roads leading to the beaches were

made out of bound for public.

As many as 10,000 police personnel were deployed on security duty

and check posts and barricades were erected to prevent people

entering the beach front. All the flyovers and arterial roads also came

under police surveillance to prevent unwanted movement of people.

The new year fete was also banned in clubs and hotels which were

directed to wind up their operations by 2200 hrs last night.

The New Year was also celebrated by various residential associations

in the city, by bursting crackers and distributing sweets, while tastefully

decorating and illuminating their buildings.

People ushered in the new year by drawing colourful rangolis in

front of their houses.

Special midnight masses were held in various churches across the

state and the churches were tastefully decorated and illuminated

to mark the occasion.

Thousands of faithfuls thronged the Santhome Basilica in the city

and at Velankanni church in Besant Nagar, besides the world famous

Nagapattinam Church to mark the occasion by following physical

distancing norms and COVID protocols.

Special poojas and abhishekams were also held at various temples

across the State.

People attired in new clothes thronged temples early in the morning

to offer worship.

Large crowds were seen in temples, including at the famous Sri

Parthasarathy temple, Lord Kapaleeswarar temple and at Lord

Muruga temple at Vadapalani in the city.

Elsewhere in the state, a large number of people offered prayers

at the ancient Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam, Lord

Varadharajaswamy temple at Kancheepuram, Goddess Meenakshi

Amman temple at Madurai, Goddess Kamatchi Amman temple in

Kancheepuram and at Sri Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram.

Huge crowds were also seen in all the six abodes of Lord Muruga

as devotees thronged in large numbers to offer prayers.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy,

Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, DMK President M K Stalin and leaders

of various political parties, including MDMK General Secertary Vaiko,

DMDK leader Vijayakanth, TMC leader G K Vasan, AMMK leader

Dhinakaran greeted the people on the occasion and wished them

more wealth and prosperity in their lives.

UNI GV 0715