Christmas was on Monday celebrated with special midnight mass, visits to churches, singing of carols and exchange of greetings and gifts in different parts of the State.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wished the people of the State on the festive occasion.
“Warm greetings and best wishes to all on this joyous occasion of #Christmas. May the spirit of Christmas be the harbinger of prosperity, abundance and peace in your lives. #MerryChristmas,” Patnaik tweeted.
Christians, along with many others from other religious beliefs, attended the midnight mass by singing Christmas hymns and prayers at churches.
The churches were decorated with lights, candles, Christmas trees and bells to celebrate the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Even though I am a Hindu, I have been attending the midnight mass since over 10 years now. I visited St Vincent’s Catholic Church in Satya Nagar along with my family members last night. It is a special day for me,” said Aseema Dixit.
“Jesus Christ came to earth on this day to liberate us from our sins.
We celebrate this day to remind us of the sacrifices he made for us. We attend the midnight mass and offered prayers at the church to mark the occasion,” said lawrence at Catholic Church of Bhubaneswar.
“Apart from the religious significance, the day is full of fun. I love the cakes, gifts, music, dance and the holiday Christmas brings along,” she added.
Churches, homes and streets – more so in western parts of Odisha with large Christian population – were decked up with lights and decorative items. Christmas trees and castles depicting the birth of Jesus Christ were placed to commemorate the occasion.
Christmas was also celebrated with great fervour in the abode of lord Jagannath in Puri by the city’s small Christian community. It was observed in the two local permanent churches while a dozen of churches operating from thatched houses at the Chakratirth fishermen colony were also decorated with lights and flowers.
The followers of the faith distributed cakes and cookies among themselves and other people. Many found the day as an opportunity to organise picnics in nearby spots like Harchandi and Ramchandi and trips to the Chilika lake for boating .There was also a huge rush of revellers to the Konark Sun Temple.
Police had tough time to regulate the large numbers of vehicles entering into the city since previous night.