Chennai:
The harvest festival of Pongal was today 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.