Odisha in festive mood as people celebrate Christmas

Bhubaneswar: The entire State, including the temple city of Bhubaneswar, is in a festive mood with people celebrating Christmas in a big way. Various programmes are being organized at the churches and houses in Cuttack, Berhampur Balasore, Rourkela, Kandhamal and other places.

All churches in the state are illuminated with dazzling lights over the bell towers with red and green streamers along the walls and stars over the main aisle.

In Bhubaneswar, people of Christian community are gathering in large numbers at St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Satya Nagar here. Like previous years, the organisers have bedecked the worship place and its premises with Christmas Tree, lights, stars, bells, music and chimes.

“We are offering mass prayers here. After this, we are planning for a get together where we will have fun with singing, dancing and distributing cakes,” said an excited Christian at St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Satya Nagar.

Meandhile, Governor S C Jamir and his wife have attended the Christamas mass at Unit IV Church and greeted the people on the auspicious occasion.

On Christmas Eve, carol singing was followed by Mass and the ‘Kissing of Jesus held around 11 pm.

Keeping the Kandhamal bandh call given by Kui Samaj in view, the district collector Yamini Sarangi said, “We have made adequate security arrangements in the district to ensure a peaceful Christmas Day celebration.”