Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu), Jan. 8 : A large number of people converged from different parts of the country at the Ranganatha shrine in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, to celebrate the Vaikuntha Ekadashi festival on Wednesday.

Devotees thronged the temple premises to offer obeisance to Lord Vishnu, who is known as Lord Ranganatha in the local parlance here.

Vaishnavism (the worship of Lord Vishnu) culture holds the belief that Vaikunth Dwaram, the gate to Lord''s innner sanctum open on this day.

Legend has it that the Lord opened the gate of Vaikuntam (His abode) for two demons in spite of them being against the Him.

Imphal (Manipur), Jan. 8 : Surrendered militants staged a hunger strike here on Wednesday over demands for proper rehabilitation and jobs.

Around 37 activists belonging to groups like the People''s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) participated in the hunger strike.

The former insurgents claimed that they had been evicted by the police and civic officials from a relief camp that was once occupied by the Second Commando Battalion of the Manipur Police.

The authorities, however, contend that the site was earmarked as staff quarters for the police personnel.

Ahmedabad, Jan. 8 : Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in Gujarat. A large number of people here mark it as a kite festival, in which people from all communities participate.

These kites are chiefly made by members of the Muslim community. Ahead of the festival, there is usually high demand for kites that are made available in the in attractive hues and sizes in the markets.

Many Gujaratis believe that Uttarayan festival is not just about an occasion when people fly kites but it is a time which also promotes and strengthens harmony among Hindus and Muslims in communally sensitive State.

Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir), Jan. 8 :Tourists are thronging Gulmarg to revel in its famous snow clad slopes.

Trees, buildings, roads, are all covered in white with snow flakes occasionally falling adding to the joyous atmosphere around.

Tourists from the hot Indian plains are thrilled to see the snowfall, some of them experiencing it for the first time, of course a life time experience for them.

"It seems like heaven everywhere here. I would like to request all the tourists that they should come and see the paradise on earth here," said Manoj Sharma, a tourist.

Rate makes highs into early New York; probes for stops over the 1.5000 and 1.5100 handle; inexplicable rally to the 1.5280 area finds more stops driving the thin market higher.