In Salem, residents & police cut cake to welcome NY

Salem: New Year celebrations were by and large limited to visiting temples and churches for special prayers and pujas in the district. Most of the residents, especially people living in apartments, cut cakes at 12am, to welcome the New Year. Hotels missed out on the business opportunity, as the government had banned large gatherings on the New Year eve, when the movement of vehicles was restricted.
Salem district bishop Arutselvam Rayappan led special prayer at the Jesus Christ church on Four Roads on Friday night. Similarly, special prayers were conducted at the CSI church and St. Anthony’s church in the city.
At the Sri Rajaganapathi temple in the city, priests performed special pujas and abhishekams to the main deity, whose idol was decked up with a pearl dress. Special pujas were also held at the Salem Sri Sugavaneshwarar temple, Kottai Azagirinathar Swamy temple, Uthamacholapuram Karapuranathar temple and Fort Mariamman temple.
The city police cut a cake on Five Roads area and distributed it to the public. Deputy commissioner M Madasamy participated in the event and wished a happy New Year to the policemen.
The celebrations were muted in Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Erode districts as well where people mainly visited places of worship to usher in the year. tnn