We are singing Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells! Jingle all the way! because Christmas is here.
The ringing of midnight bells in churches and the carols ushered in the Christmas festivities. The festive mood has gripped people from across the world.
People were seen ecstatic and full of Christmas fervour across India, to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Regardless of religion, many people joined the celebration.
Panaji, the capital city of Goa, was lit up and the markets gleamed with Christmas trees, bells, gifts, cakes and bebinca (a traditional Goan dessert) as tourists flocked to celebrate the festival in the coastal state, which has around 27 percent Christian population.
Parishioners dressed in formal attire participated in midnight masses across the churches. Cribs, decorated in beautiful ways and displaying the birth of Lord Jesus, were seen at several houses in the state.
Christmas in Kashmir is being celebrated with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour with members of the small population of Christians in the Valley thronging churches for Mass as special prayers were held for world peace.
Not just India, Christmas fever has gripped people from every corner of the world.
The Santa Claus in Finland has completed his final preparations in snow-covered Finnish Lapland before setting out on his annual, globe-trotting Christmas trip.
Lakhs of people visit the village every year to meet Santa, play in the snow and get in the festive spirit.
Some streets in the centre of Iran’s capital, Tehran, are filled with Christmas spirit every year during the festive season.
Christmas trees and decorations, as well as Santa figurines and costumes, are among the top-selling items ahead of the New Year.
The festive atmosphere even thrills non-Christians passing through the holiday gift stores in the capital.
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
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