Shillong: Meghalaya is all decked up to celebrate Christmas with its picturesque capital city Shillong already wearing a festive look.
On the eve of Christmas, thousands of people are crowding in downtown capital city for last minute shopping for clothes, cakes, pastries and decorations to light up their Christmas trees.
There was jubilation around the city with children irrespective of caste and religion singing Christmas carols.
In Tura wherein security has been heightened, the festivity has gained momentum with revellers taking part in community dances to the beat of traditional drums to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.
The bedecked city resembled a fairyland with spectacular illumination of lights and festoons with red lights atop the houses to symbolise the descent of Lord Jesus to the earth.
Christmas trees and wreaths adorned almost every household. All the churches, missionary schools and institutions in the state were also decorated with colourful buntings and lights.
Tourists from other states of the country were also flocking to the city to participate in the celebrations.
All communities, irrespective of religious faith, joined their Christian brethren in this predominantly Christian state to celebrate Christmas enthusiastically.
Central Puja Committee (CPC), the apex Hindu body in the state, has also decided to participate in the Christmas celebrations.
“This year, too, we will join our Christian brethren to mark the arrival the messenger of peace and love,” Central Puja Committee general Secretary J L Das said.
“It’s interesting to see children of different religious background chanting Christmas hymns,” said Ramanth Goel a tourist from New Delhi who is here to celebrate Christmas with her family.
Governor KK Paul had joined various choir groups at Raj Bhawan He urged the people to imbibe the festive spirit within themselves. of unity among all sections of people.
Meanwhile, Christmas carols could already be heard across the state since the past one-week, braving the winter, chill. All the young and old joined Santa Claus in Christmas carols.
All the hotels and tourist lodges in the city have started arranging parties and other activities.
“This year, we have decided to celebrate Christmas in Shillong as the city extended its hospitality and goodwill to people from all over the world and therefore, we felt that this is the best place to celebrate Christmas,” Leonardo a tourist from Brazil, said.
Special Christmas cakes were being prepared in almost every household and bakeries to celebrate the festive mood. (UNI)