Kolkata soaks in Christmas fervour

Enjoying the irresistible aroma of baking cakes and brewing wines and of spending quality time with loved ones, Kolkata on Friday deluged in the Yuletide spirit with people of all ages celebrating Christmas.

Not only a religious festival but rather a summation of faith, food and fun, Christmas in the city was marked with dazzling revelry and fervour along with special prayers, hymns, and masses in churches.

Hundreds of devout Christians assembled at the midnght mass held at the age old St. Paul's Cathedral.

The city's famous heritage address - Bow Barracks - inhabited by Christians and Anglo-Indians, bustled with activity while the aroma of homemade raisins, ginger wines and cakes filled the atmosphere.

Carnivals and music festivals, sports tournaments and family reunions marked the occasion with many people travelling hundreds of miles to be in the city.

Not far from Bow Barracks is the fashionable Park Street, for long the epicentre of Christmas festivities in the city.

The mansion-lined street that oozes a British era charm, was lit up and decorated. From colourful snow streamers, sparkling battery-operated stars, snow bells, dancing Santas, musical Christmas trees, foldable trees, wreaths and foldable decorative items and baubles, decor shops have lined up a host of ornaments adding the extra glitz to the festivities.

People also thronged to the zoo and other places of merriment.

West Bengal Governor K.N. Tripathi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished the people on the occasion.

The city police have made elaborate security arrangements including deployment of plain clothed personnel and setting up CCTV cameras at strategic locations.