Christmas was celebrated in Dehradun on Friday with pomp and grandeur and, of course, devotion of people from all walks of life, irrespective of their religious persuasions. It also heralded the time of good cheer that would culminate in the New Year celebration on January 1.
The people thronged the city’s churches since the morning to participate in the masses. At another remove, the sellers of balloons, candles and the like had a good day with their sales going up with so many people visiting churches and other places as part of the celebration. Outside the eateries and churches, men attired as Santa distributing sweets and balloons to the kids proved to be the main attraction of the day. The kids were seen rushing to their dear Santa, eyes scouting for gifts expectantly.
Seema lawrence who was found outside the Central Methodist Church said that after the prayer was over they would meet family members and friends and exchange gifts among them. “We spent the day before the Christmas decorating the houses and preparing the sweets and gujiyas. Donning new clothes is a must. Feasting together is another attraction of the day,” she said.
“I have specially bought a red coat for this day. I like the festival as wherever you go there is one attired as Santa distributing gifts and sweets,” said Richal David, a school student.
Dwelling on how the Christmas has turned into a social, inclusive festival across the spectrum of faiths, Kuldeep Matura said though not Christians themselves, they had been visiting church on Christmas Day for the past eight years. “This is because one of my friends is a Christian. He invites us to celebrate the day together. After the prayer is over we meet people, greet on another and exchange sweets and gifts. We enjoy it a great deal as it deepens togetherness,” he said.
Sonu who was found selling candles outside Saint Francis Church said he sold candles only on this day. “Otherwise, I sell balloons, wandering around Rajpur Road. Many people thronging the churches bought balloons. The idea works and I earn much,” he said, face suffused with satisfaction.