Ganesha Chaturthi: Chennai ushers in prosperity

CHENNAI: Devotional songs blared out of loudspeakers throughout the day, but festivities in South Chennai to herald the arrival of Lord Vinayaka was without much fanfare. Residents of South Chennai were a quiet lot on the occasion, though most of the places wore a festive look.However, a fair number of devotees turned up at the several temples. “Usually more people visit during the morning pooja. This time, many families have gone out of town as they have got a long holiday,” said a temple priest in Chromepet.Meanwhile, the younger generation surfed through several man pillaiyars (clay idol). Ananya (6), was seen asking for an unpainted clay Vinayaka. “My teacher told me that if there is paint, it will harm the fish in the water when I send Vinayaka away,” she said.Families prepared special sweet dish, kozhukattai, and shared it with neighbours. The little umbrellas for Vinayaka also recorded brisk sales at roadside shops. The housing colony of the AAI is celebrating a Maha Utsav from September 1 to 7.