The union territory of Puducherry today welcomed the dawn of 2017 with a large number of tourists from different parts of the country joining the locals in the celebrations.
There was heavy rush of tourists at various points in and around Puducherry and the local restaurants and accommodation centres registered good business.
Tourists adopted online booking for accommodation several days ahead of the New Year, said a proprietor of a star hotel in the heart of the city.
Serpentine queues of people could be seen at the famous shrine of Lord Manakula Vinayakar from early morning.
People exchanging greetings also visited the famous spiritual centre Aurobindo Ashram here.
Lt Governor Kiran Bedi celebrated the New Year by cutting a cake along with the staff of Raj Nivas and the members of the newly formed Residents Welfare Association of Police Quarters in Rajnivas.
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