Delhi celebrates Christmas with fervour

New Delhi: Dressed in Santa Claus hats and red outfits, the people of Delhi celebrated Christmas with much grandeur and fervour on Monday.

Churches were decorated with sparkling lights, stars, candles and other colourful articles to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God recognised as the central figure in Christianity.

"People have been visiting Churches since Saturday night to offer prayers and remember Jesus Christ," said Baldev Sandhu, Presbyter-In-Charge, St Stephen's Church on Church Mission Road in Delhi.

He added that people are celebrating the festival in full swing. "Best wishes to all the people on the auspicious occasion of Christmas. May this bring peace, harmony and happiness.

"The festival represents the victory of light over darkness and is about spreading joy and happiness. The message of love, tolerance and brotherhood of Jesus is effectively conveyed through the festival," he said.

Christmas, a primarily Christian festival, is also celebrated by people following different faiths with the spirit of Christmas visible among them.

"The sale of Santa Claus hats is high this time. People love to wear it," said a man selling them near Ashram Chowk in Delhi.

People could be seen buying X-Mas trees and colourful candles to decorate their houses. Carol singing and colourful cribs added charm to the day and people also exchanged sweets and delicious plum cakes.

Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites were flooded with Christmas greetings.

President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also greeted the nation on the occasion of Christmas.