Feasts, processions mark Christmas

New Delhi: The spirit of Christmas festivity gripped the national capital as midnight masses, Christmas carols and merriment ushered on Sunday.

Worshippers thronged local churches and cathedrals — including Cathedral Church of The Redemption, Sacred Heart Cathedral and St James Church — for the midnight service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Markets in the capital wore a festive look with sparkling Christmas trees and gift items. Community feasts, exchange of greetings and colourful processions marked the occasion.

Braving the winter chill, the city struck a celebratory note with people sporting Santa caps in many market areas.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: “A merry Christmas to everyone.” The neighbourhoods of churches reverberated with traditional Christmas carols and gospel bands enchanted people with songs like “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”. During the Christmas carnival at Dillli Haat in INA and Janakpuri, groups from various churches sang Christmas carols to lift up the spirit of the visitors. Santa Clauses moved around the markets to distribute candies to kids.  The carnival was organised by the Delhi government from December 23 to December 25. Meanwhile, air quality remained “very poor” in the national capital, traffic police said. It restricted many to indoor celebrations. Prominent pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels remained above the normal standards at most of the locations in the city. Heavy traffic was reported Kalibari Road, Ashoka Road and Baba Kharak Singh Marg and other roads leading to shopping malls and popular market places.