Jingle all the way: Christmas lights up Hyderabad and Secunderabad
Hyderabad/Secunderabad: A festive atmosphere enveloped Hyderabad and its twin city Secunderabad as midnight mass marked the commencement of Christmas celebrations in the churches across the twin cities on Tuesday night. The friends and families sang traditional carols on Christmas Eve.
The churches were decked up as thousands of devotees thronged to attend midnight mass and Wednesday morning special prayers. Special prayers in churches and carol singing were the highlights of celebrations.
Secunderabad, which has a sizable population of Christians, is dipped into the festive fervour. People were seen exchanging Christmas greetings and gifts. Men, women and children were seen in their best attire at the churches.
All Saints Church in Trimulgherry, Holy Trinity Church in Bolarum, Church of St Johns the Baptist in East Marredpally, St Mary’s Church Basilica on SD Road and St George’s Church in Basheerbagh, SCI Wesley Church and 200-year-old St John’s Church in Secunderabad witnessed huge congregations. Similarly, hundreds of families were seen making a beeline outside St Mary’s Church, St Joseph’s Cathedral, Wesley Church, Holy Trinity Church and Millennium Methodist Church.
‘Little England’, as the South Lalaguda area is known, witnessed unique Christmas celebrations by the Anglo-Indian community. Despite being a minority within the Christian community, the Anglo-Indians have hung on to their traditional rituals. Their homes were decorated with evergreen conifers, wreaths and lights hanging on balconies along with the star.
Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has greeted the people on the joyous occasion of Christmas.
“Christmas is a joyous occasion to celebrate the birth of Jesus and cherish his ideals. His life symbolizes love, forgiveness, truth, compassion, brotherhood, and sacrifice,” the Governor said in his message.
Meanwhile, Medak wore a festive look as midnight mass began at the Medak Cathedral, the second largest church in Asia, on Tuesday night. Bishop Ruben Mark led the Christmas celebrations as the cross was brought in procession and consecrated in the presence of hundreds of devotees.
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and other government officials are expected to partake in the celebrations as the cathedral completed 100 years on December 22, 2024. Earlier, the Telangana government granted Rs. 25 crore for the centenary celebrations. The government funds will be used to build dormitories for pilgrims and other developmental programmes.
𝐏𝐨𝐦𝐩, 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
Hyderabad and Secunderabad lit up with Christmas cheer as churches hosted midnight mass and special prayers, drawing thousands of devotees. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma extended… pic.twitter.com/JhkMcjxz5Z
— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) December 25, 2024
