The Union Territory was resplendent with the celebrations of Kaanum Pongal, which marked the end of the four-day festival on Wednesday.
An annual ‘Manju Virattu’, a bull chasing event, was organised by the villagers of Kuyilappalayam, near Auroville, to mark the occasion, which both locals and tourists in large numbers attended.
A large number of people thronged the beach and Bharathi Park here to celebrate ‘Kaanum Pongal’, bringing home made delicacies alongwith.
Police had made elaborate security arrangements and declared the beach a vehicle-free zone. Security was also tightened at the Botanical Garden, Ossudu Lake and Boat House at Chunnambaar where a large number of people gathered to celebrate the festival.
Even the prisoners lodged at Puducherry Central Prison partook in the festivities of Kaanum Pongal, as they were served home cooked food in the presence of their loved ones.
Around 50 family members of prisoners here, who had earlier applied for permission to meet the inmates on the occasion of Pongal, were allowed inside with home made food after a thorough check. The other prisoners were given Pongal and fruits.
Jail authorities led by Inspector General of Prisons, I D Sukhla, also listened to the grievances of the inmates. Shukla said that computer facilities were provided to the prisoners in Tamil language and free computers were provided by the State bank of India.
Some prisoners were being trained as part of a skill development programme, he said. Prison authorities had also tied up with Sri Aurobindo Ashram for imparting vocational training to help them return back to mainstream, said Shukla.