Jaya's supporters break into joy to celebrate Amma's return

Reports said the followers of "Amma", as Jayalalithaa is fondly called by her fans also played traditional drums and other music instruments and shouted "Amma Vazhga: (long live Amma) to hit the street.

The wild jubilation started even before Jayalalithaa took oath at the centenary hall of the Madras University in the morning  eight months after she stepped down after being convicted by a court that disqualified her as a lawmaker.

This is the fifth time that Jayalalithaa becomes the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

Her return to glory was made possible by the verdict of the Karnantaka High Court early this month which acquitted the 67-year-old politician and gave her a clean chit in the disproportionate asset case.

The supporters also put up  huge hoardings and posters of Jayalalithaa on roads in various towns and cities.

television sets were also placed at various points in Chennai to enable the public to witness the swearing-in live.

Close to the university auditorium where Jalyalalithaa  will took the oath, there was a night-long party on the beach with thousands of people gathering from across the state.

The Marina Beach was teeming with people who came to  witness the return of "Amma". They spent the night sleeping in the open, media reports said.

Many of them watched the news on mute, on two giant screens set up for the occasion.