People celebrate Tamil New Year

The Tamil New Year was today celebrated with traditional fervour across the state with people thronging temples welcoming the 'Dunmukhi' year.
The first Tamil month 'Chithirai' ushered in the new year as people held special prayers at temples in various parts of state, including Chennai, Madurai, Ticurhirappalli.
People exchanged greetings on the occasion.
Governor K Rosaiah, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and PMK leader S Ramadoss extended their New Year greetings to the people.
The Tamil New Year, which used to be celebrated in the 'Chithirai' month (April), was shifted to 'Thai' month (January) to coincide with the Tamil harvest festival of Pongal by the Karunanidhi-led DMK government in 2008.

However, after coming to power in 2011, the AIADMK government restored the New Year to 'Chithirai' month while Karunanidhi and the DMK have since observed the month of 'Thai' as the New Year.