For residents, it was jingle all the way in Tricity

CHANDIGARH: Christmas festivities gripped the Tricity on Tuesday with celebrations being held almost in every corner. From malls to homes to markets, Santa Claus made his presence felt everywhere around the city. The day started with people going to church in the Tricity for offering prayers, even though the celebrations had begun as per the custom on Monday night.


The Christmas celebrations mainly took place in Christ the King Church in Sector 19, Chandigarh, Christ Church CNI in Sector 18 Chandigarh and Church of North India Charitable Trust in Sector 21, Panchkula. On the Christmas Eve the festivity began with carol singing around 11pm followed by the holy mass and then blessings from the Crib. Thereafter, a cake was cut and cake and coffee-sharing ceremony took place in the churches. The entire programme ended by 2am. Carols were sung by the choir in all three languages — Hindi, English and Punjabi in Sector 19.

On Tuesday, the celebration began at 9am in churches with English service and at 11 am was the Hindi service. Churches witnessed rush all through the day as people kept coming. The celebrations were open for everyone, regardless of the religion they follow.

Reverend Denzal Peoples at Christ Church, CNI, Sector 18-A, Chandigarh, gave a message regarding the birth of Jesus Christ. He shared his knowledge on where Christ was born. Parkash Masih, secretary, Christ Church, CNI, Sector 18-A, greeted the congregation and guided the people to follow the path of Jesus in life.

In Panchkula, the municipal corporation spread awareness about cleanliness through Santa Clauses dresses in blue and green, who were seen roaming around in city on Tuesday.

Rajesh Jogpal, MC commissioner, said that by doing so they were trying to make the people aware about the importance of cleanliness in surrounding areas.