Christians celebrated the birth of the Christ on a grand note in the two Telugu States.
Prayers started at midnight on Tuesday in churches across the States, and the churches were tastefully decorated and illuminated for the occasion.
Devotees wished each other a Happy Christmas, and sang psalms praising Lord Jesus. Bishops enlightened Christians about the significance of the day, and distributed sweets and caked to the attendees.
The celebrations were held on a grand note at the Medak CSI church, the second largest church in the Asian continent. Christians not only from the Telugu States but from across the country visited the church and participated in special prayers.
A large gathering of believers was also seen at the St. Mary's Basilica, Wesley, Methodist, All Saints, St. Johns and St. George churches and the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hyderabad.
In Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, pastors conducted special prayers at the century-old historical St Louis Marks Lutheran church in Chirala. And AP Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, accompanied by his family members, participated in Christmas celebrations at the CSI Church in Pulivendula in YSR District. Senior bishops and priests conducted special masses and read out the Christmas message at the church.
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy had earlier extended greetings to the people on the occasion of the festival. Leader Of Opposition in the AP Assembly Chandrababu Naidu too extended greetings to the people.