Chennai, Jan 1 (IANS) With the moon glowing luminously, Chennai citizens congregated at the beach, partied at hotels or just sat at home watching television as 2009 made way for 2010.
Thanks to the lunar eclipse that lasted over an hour, the gods got their much needed rest as temples closed at night and opened early Friday morning. No special poojas were conducted at midnight at major temples unlike the previous years.

When the clock struck midnight, the rush of greetings began with people wishing their friends, relatives and even complete strangers who they encountered a happy new year.

The roads going to the beaches were lined with balloon vendors who did brisk business.

The sustained campaign and warning by the city police on drunken driving and indecent behaviour paid off as traffic was quite orderly and most youngsters on the roads were well-behaved.