Mahalaya Amavasi is being observed all over Tamil Nadu today. Thousands of people took holy dip in Agni Theertham in Rameswaram Sea and performed tarpanam rituals for their ancestors.

Special rituals for ancestors were conducted in Srirangam Amman Mandapam in Trichy, Bhavani sangamam in Erode, Kodiakkarai, Poom Puhar, Mayiladuturai in Nagapattinam, districts.

 A five member expert committee of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has begun the review of loading of fuel in Unit one of the Koodankulam Nuclear plant according to its Site Director Sh R S Sundar. Once the expert committee submits its final report the process of loading enriched Uranium will start. After a series of protests in which one person was killed in police firing, the situation is limping back to normalcy.More from our correspondent:
The situation is tense but under control in the villages surrounding Koodankulam Nuclear power plant. An uneasy calm prevails over Idinthakarai where protesters have started a 48 hour fast today. There is heavy police bandobust in and around the area and more forces have been rushed to the place after a security review by ADGP George. Chief Minister Miss Jayalaitha’s statement vouchsafingकृपापूर्वक प्रदान करना the safety of the nuclear plant has been a set back for the protesters. With the nuclear power plant in the final stages of operation, it seems the protests are too late.

 In Tamil Nadu, the situation continues to be tense in Idinthakarai, where people are fasting against the decision to load enriched uranium in the nuclear reactor of Koodankulam nuclear power plant. District collector Selvaraj has extended the section 144 prohibitory orders till October 9 in Idinthakarai area.