CORRESPONDENTS
JOYSAGAR: Christmas was celebrated in Sivasagar with religious and festive fervour on Tuesday. The central function was held in the 175-year old Sivasagar Baptist Church located on the bank of the historic Bor Pukhuri. The Sivasagar Baptist Church was built in 1841 during the British rule. Local youths and artists decorated the church with lights and flowers. Prayers were offered and carols were sung. Christmas was also celebrated in Holyname Higher Secondary School at Cherekapara, Na-Ali Christian Gaon, Naga Gaon, Cherekapara Christian Gaon and Rajabari Tea Estate. The Sivasagar Christian Society also distributed food and clothes among the poor and needy people of the town.
TANGLA: Along with the other parts of the world, Christmas was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour in the town, with midnight mass ringing in the festivities to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches of Tangla town wore a festive look as the faithful flocked the Baptist Church and Don Bosco, Tangla Catholic church for midnight mass. People of other religions also joined the mass and celebrations on Tuesday morning. The day was marked by special prayers, mass in churches, singing of carols and traditional spread of festive delicacies.
The scenes of the birth of Christ were enacted by the faithful in the churches and missionary schools. In the Don Bosco Catholic Church, Tangla midnight prayers were led by preacher Ruben Mushahary. Special Christmas prayers were held in the church on Tuesday morning which were led by Parish Priest Fr. Marcus Lakra, followed by musical programmes. A sizable number of people of Christian faith as well other faiths took part in the morning prayers in the cathedrals.
“Christmas is the festival of happiness, sharing and caring. This day we honour the birth of Jesus Christ, considered as son of God,” Father Lakra said. The church witnessed visitors throughout the day. The town as a whole was gripped in the Yuletide spirit with colourful decorations and Christmas carols giving a spiritual ambiance to the churches. People lit candles and incense sticks in the church premises and offered prayers.
JORHAT: Christmas was celebrated with much enthusiasm in Jorhat. Since early morning hymns and carols were sung in churches. Devotees thronged the churches to offer special Christmas prayers. In most of the churches and chapels, community prayers with musical presentation welcoming Jesus were offered and hymns were sung. At the Jorhat Parish Church, Lichubari, Father Edward, Father Vergese Palathingam and Father Regimani led the prayer sessions. A Christmas song sung by Chiku, a prominent artiste of Upper Assam, was launched in YouTube during the Christmas eve service at the Borbheta Baptist Church in presence of Pastor Anil Barua, Rev Sarat Sharma and Dr. Bobby Barua.
HAFLONG: With the rest of the world, Christmas was celebrated throughout the district of Dima Hasao with great enthusiasm. The celebration began on December 24 and will continue for 2-3 days in different parts of Dima Hasao. A large number of people of all ages gathered in the churches where a special prayer was offered and Christmas carols were sung.
In places like Muolhoi, Songpijang, Fiangpui and Lodi, a great community feast was also organized wherein thousands of people from various castes, creed and religions took part. The churches were seen decorated with colourful lights, stars and Christmas trees. Churches like St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Synod Church, Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church and other churches in Mulhoi, Songpijang and Fiangpui celebrated Christmas in a befitting manner. Christmas is marked by attending special church services, spending time with family members, wearing new clothes and eating a festive meal. Some families exchange gifts or give small presents or sweets to children. Some also put up a Nativity scene with clay figures or a Christmas tree.
Dibrugarh: Christmas was observed with great enthusiasm among the Christian community here on Tuesday. The mass prayers began at all catholic churches the previous night. The prayers were conducted by Bishop Joseph Aind and Albert Hembrom. On the occasion, the churches, especially the one near the Bishop House and Dibrujan, were adorned with decorative lights. The people were also seen baking cakes and other sweetmeats as part of the festivities.
Reflecting India’s unity in diversity, many people of other religions too joined in the festivities, apart from exchanging Christmas wishes. They also visited the churches for the purpose of praying. On the flip side to it, the inauguration ceremony of the Bogibeel Bridge proved to be a stumbling block for many believers from areas like Jamirah. Due to a thick security blanket enveloping the area, many of them were seen having a hard time in doing their usual Christmas errands.
Kokrajhar: Along with the rest of the world, Christmas was celebrated in the district on Tuesday. Hundreds of Catholic followers offered prayer at the Saint John Bosco Catholic Church in Kokrajhar in the morning where Rev. Fr. Damian Basumatary led the holy mass and prayer for a peaceful world. The Catholic churches in the district at Kokrajhar, Dotma, Ramfalbil, Amguri, Saraibil, Gossaigaon and other places thronged with believers as this denomination has the largest followers. The churches of different denominations were also colourfully decorated.
High-ranking BTC officers and followers as well as religious leaders attended the celebration at Kokrajhar Town Baptist Church. Talking to reporters at Saint John Bosco Church, Kokrajhar, WPT&BC and Soil Conservation Minister Pramila Rani Brahma said the day was a very special day for Christians as Jesus Christ was born on this day to bail out mankind from all odds. She hoped that Christmas would strengthen the feeling of brotherhood and uphold peace among all sections of people.
Meanwhile, women were seen busy preparing homemade rice cakes, sithao, enthab and other delicacies. Pork is the most popular meat, especially among the Bodos and other tribes.
DEMOW: Along with rest of the State, Christmas was celebrated in various places of Demow on Tuesday like Thowra Tea Estate, Katalasuwa, Athabari, Khongia, Rajmai, Rajabari and Dehingmukh. The churches were decorated with colourful lights, stars and bells. Prayers were offered in churches and cakes and sweets were distributed.