Christmas celebrated with zeal, fervour in Kumaon

Our Correspondent

Pithoragarh, December 25

Christmas was celebrated in Kumaon region with reverence as prayers were held in beautifully decorated churches while children studying in missionary schools presented stage shows depicting the life of Jesus Christ today. Carol singing was held at various places on Christmas eve on Wednesday evening in various churches of the region.

According to reports from Nainital, hoteliers and people related with tourism business were in high spirits as a large number of tourists reached Nainital on Christmas eve last night.

Prayer meetings were held in Catholic and Methodist Churches in Haldwani, Kathgodam, Ramnagar Almora, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Abbot Mount and Tanakpur, in which, hundreds of Christian families took part. Several schools in Haldwani managed by Christian missionaries, including High Landers School, Accent Public School, Delhi Play School, Green Woods Global School and Don Bosco School in Haldwani and Pithoragarh, Green Valley Public School in Bageshwar, True Revival School in Pithoragarh and Saint Francis Senior Secondary School in Tanakpur, organised various fancy dress competitions and programmes depicting life and times of Lord Jesus. “Besides the schools, some hotels organised programmes on Christmas as an unexpected number of tourists thronged Nainital,” said Kamal Shah Jagati, a hotelier and journalist based in Nainital.

Celebrations in Haridwar

Girls light candles to celebrate Christmas in Haridwar on Thursday. Tribune photo: Rameshwar Gaur

Haridwar: Birthday of Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated with gaiety and fervour here today.

From midnight onwards the celebrations of Lord Jesus Christ commenced with people attending midnight prayers, carols and offering prayers amidst lighting of candles at churches.

City’s oldest the Reformed Presbyterian Church situated at Dev Pura, was among the most visited churches in the district.

BHEL church preachers and pastor Williams of Devpura Church read the holy Bible, giving teachings of Lord Jesus and Mother Mariyam.

Christmas celebrations at Cheshire Home

Inmates of Cheshire Home celebrate Christmas in Dehradun on Thursday. A Tribune photograph

Dehradun: Spirit of festivity prevailed at the Cheshire Home as the inmates celebrated Christmas, sharing cakes and pastries with the chairman and staff members of the home. The joy of the inmates, mostly mentally challenged, knew no bounds when the staff members came up with little gifts and goodies.

“Every year we celebrate festivals at the home. Today, too, the inmates would be served a special lunch and snacks,”said Mamta Gupta, Superintendent, Cheshire Home.