Christmas celebrated with mirth and merriment

ALLAHABAD: Mirth and merriment marked Christmas festivities in the city. Vital churches were decked up with attractive lights and Christmas mela was organized at various places. Santa Claus distributing gifts and sweets was a major attraction among the kids.
The All Saint's Cathedral was all decked up to mark the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. People lighted candles and gathered at the main prayer hall where Midnight Mass was conducted by the head priest.
In Naini area, Christmas was celebrated as Manav Mukti Diwas (Human Salvation Day) at Yeshu Darbar with the prayer by first lady of SHIATS and vice-chairperson of Yeshu Darbar Dr Sudha Lal. A number of ecumenical performances were presented by children on devotional songs. The staffs and family members of SHIATS also presented melodious song. The students of Sunday School projected the Kingdom of God and celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ through their beautiful choreography. Abhilasha Mishra Lal, spoke about the Ten Commandants which proclaimed the prophecy of Jesus Christ. She appealed to the devotees to follow the path of Jesus Christ for their salvation.
The Altar was dedicated by the Most Rev Prof Rajendra B Lal, Bishop of Yeshu Darbar with the recitation of King Solomon's prayer. The importance of this dedication was marked by the Cross which was brought from Jerusalem. Addressing the crowds present in Yeshu Darbar, Bishop Rajendra B. Lal started his sermon by narrating the story of Adam and Eve.
Midnight Mass was also organised at St Joseph's Cathedral where people also gathered to attend the prayers and take part in the ongoing Christmas Mela.
Various shops and shopping malls too celebrated Christmas by decorating their outlets and offering heavy shopping bonanza. Smiling Santa Claus with bagful of gifts greeted the children and the younger alike in various markets and shops. While children enjoyed taking snaps with Santa, the elderly shook hands and shared happy moments.
Heavy rush was witnessed in almost all markets, malls and restaurants. A mall at Civil Lines had a Santa welcoming the guest. He hugged and gave gifts to tiny tots. People were seen clicking photographs with the Santa as a group of young girls said, "We wait for the entire year as its offers another chance to shower our beloved with some gifts that incorporates the happiness of welcoming the New Year".
Similarly, several parents offered gifts to their children. "Every year my mum places a new dress or any other gift in the basket hanging in the portico and pretends as if Santa has given it. Although, now that I am grown, I know that it's my mom who keeps these new dresses but I still love it", said Vidhusi.