Tamil Nadu celebrates Vinayaka Chaturthi with fervour

Chennai, Sep 5 (IANS) The Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chaturthi, marking the beginning of the annual Ganesh festival, was celebrated across Tamil Nadu on Monday with people performing poojas before the moulded clay idols of the elephant-headed god.

People also thronged Vinayaka or Ganesha temples, where special prayers were conducted before the grandly decorated idols.

Many houses wore a festive look, as people held special prayers at home too.

The aroma of "kozhakattai", a rice flour and jaggery dumpling, wafted through many kitchen windows here.

After offering prayers on the occasion, neighbours and friends got together to share the "kozhakattais".

Roadside vendors did brisk business even Monday morning, selling Vinayaka idols, flowers and holy arugam grass.

The clay-moulded idols were priced between Rs.80 and Rs.200.

The prices climbed down towards afternoon.