MEXICO CITY, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mexico came to a standstill to observe the Day of the Dead on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 in connection with All Saints' Day.

    During these two days, Mexicans visit the graves of dead relatives, adorn them with marigolds, photos and drawings of the deceased, place their favorite food and drink on the graves and fashion elaborate paper-cuts to mark the occasion.

    Well-decorated cemeteries such as San Nicolas graveyard in eastern Mexico City were overrun with visitors. Police closed its gates to tourists arriving by car to avoid further traffic jams on the scenic grounds.

    Boroughs across the city hosted arts and crafts events dedicated to the occasion. Citizens built altars for their dead, and pictures of traditional skeleton figures added a morbid flair to the city.

    Even so, Mexico City's local government broke a decade-long tradition by canceling its offering on Constitution Square, the city's main plaza.