Friday, January 14 2005 14:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: With Tsunami having cast a shadow, the 'Pongal' festival celebrations were subdued in many parts of Tamil Nadu today (Jan 14, 2005).

The usual gaiety and enthusiasm was absent in 13 coastal districts, which were severely hit by the killer waves on December 26, claiming nearly 8000 lives.

Elsewhere in the State, on the second day of the four-day harvest festival, people worshipped the 'Sun' God, thanking the Lord for a bountiful harvest.

Freshly harvested rice was cooked in new earthen pots and presented to the 'Sun' along with sugarcane, and fruits. The pots were tied with turmeric saplings.

Wearing new dresses, people visited various temples to offer worship in different parts of the State.

The State Government this year distributed several lakhs of dhoties and sarees to the poor in various parts, with State Ministers doing the job.

Tomorrow (Jan 15, 2005), cows and bullocks would be worshipped by farmers in rural areas.

The four-day festivities would conclude on Sunday (Jan 16, 2005) with 'Kaanum pongal' (site seeing) when people would throng various places of entertainment.

In a village in Tirunelveli district, a mass celebration was held when 'pongal' was cooked in 501 pots, according to reports.