Christmas Celebrated With Fervour, Gaiety

Christmas was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, with churches of all denominations being beautifully decorated for the occasion.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao participated in the Christmas celebrations at the historic Methodist Church at Abids. Rajya Sabha MP K Keshava Rao and Nizamabad MP K Kavitha also participated in the celebrations.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took part in the celebrations at the Party headquarters NTR Trust Bhavan and cut the Christmas cake.

The largest gathering in the State was reported at the Medak Cathedral, Telangana's biggest church, where the faithful attended the early morning Mass. Hundreds of people from the Telangana region also attended the prayers at the CSI Church.

The major congregations in the city were held at St John's Church, St Mary's Church, All Saints' Church and Millennium Methodist Church in Secunderabad.

Christians thronged the churches right from the morning. Carols were sung, many greetings were exchanged, and the mood was joyous all over.

Special prayers were also offered at the Centenary Baptist Church in Hanumakonda, Fathima Church in Kazipet and the Roman Catholic churches at Subedari and Kazipet.

Special prayers were also conducted at Rockwood Church, Gipson Church, ABM, Holy Faith and Cole's Centennial Church in the Kurnool district.

Large numbers of Christians offered prayers in St Paul's Church and Loyola Church in Vijayawada.

Christmas was celebrated with fervour in the other districts of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, too. (INN)