Fervour and gaiety mark Christmas celebrations in Tirupati

Tirupati: Tastefully decorated churches welcomed the Christians to offer prayers on the occasion of Christmas on Tuesday. Thousands of Christians dressed up in new cloths thronged to churches from the morning itself.

Several children donned the role of Santa Claus and made merry. The visitors to churches have greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries. Religious discourses were held at various churches in city on the occasion.

A large number of Christians attended the mid night prayers at churches on Monday night. They have decorated their houses with lights, stars and candles. Well-decorated Christmas trees were the added attractions while the mood of the festival pervaded at several places of the city.

Sweet shops and bakeries were flooded with people in festive mood. Reputed churches like the West church, Jaganmatha church, and others witnessed huge crowds. Former MP Chinta Mohan visited St Peter’s Lutheran church in the city and participated in the prayers.