Christmas celebrated in Baramulla with traditional gaiety, fervour

Baramulla, Dec 25: The historic Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Baramulla town on Wednesday morning reverberated with special prayers and celebrations to mark the auspicious occasion of Christmas.

Amid the chilly morning, the worshipers and the visitors were seen praying in the Saint Joseph's Catholic Church for prosperity, peace, love and harmony.

Special prayer meeting was held at the Baramulla church by the worshippers while the walls and the building were adorned with decorations.

Like every year, several people from other religious faiths reached out to the Christian community to extend their wishes on the special day of Christians.

"We are the pass out students of Saint Joseph's school Baramulla. We came here to help our Christian community people to decorate the church," said Sheikh Samiya, a local resident who had come along with her friend to witness the Christmas celebrations.

"I was excited to see their celebrations. As an experience it was very beautiful. There remains a curiosity to see how people from other religions celebrate their major festivals. After visiting here I was able to see the festival of people who belong to other religion. It was very beautiful," she said.

Talking to media persons, Principal Saint Joseph's Higher Secondary School Fr Britto said on the auspicious occasion the Christian community prayed for peace, harmony and brotherhood.

"We saw people visiting here on this day. They join us during our festival. We made special prayers for people particularly for those who have remained associated with the Saint Joseph's school. May God accept our prayers and we witness peace, harmony and brotherhood among people of different religions. The brotherhood between people of different religions should remain intact," Britto said.

Ashish John one of the worshipers. extended Christmas greetings to the people and said they gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus who is the messenger of peace and divine love. "In these challenging times his teaching of compassion and service to the nation resonates in all faiths," he said.

"As mentioned in holy books he brought a message of hope and mercy to mankind. The Christian community joins hands with other people in Kashmir to pray for peace and harmony. We should work together for betterment," he said.