Goa revels in Christmas fervour

Homes and churches were decked up with festive lights, Christmas trees and wreaths, as the residents of Goa celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ on Tuesday with traditional gusto.

People thronged churches in large numbers to attend midnight mass, and sang Christmas carols and exchanged gifts.

Goa Governor Mridula Sinha and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar greeted people of the state on the occasion.

Houses across Goa, a former Portuguese colony with a large Christian population, wore a festive look, decorated with beautiful Christmas trees and cribs displaying the birth of Lord Jesus.

Midnight masses were held at the famous Immaculate Conception Church in Panaji and other churches which dot the coastal state.

Preparations for the festival had begun since the last week with markets, specially in the two main cities of Panaji and Margao, packed with Christmas shoppers as they bought decorative items, gifts, clothes and sweets.

Celebrations will now continue till the New Year in the beach state where thousands of tourists have already arrived and more are expected in the coming days.

The governor, in her message, said Lord Jesus gave people the valuable and eternal message of peace, tolerance, compassion, love and sacrifice.

"It is an appropriate occasion for us to carry the spirit of Christmas to foster the values that Jesus Christ professed and practised for the benefit of humanity," she said in an official release.

"Ours is a secular country, where people belonging to various faiths live in harmony, amity, social solidarity and unity. Religious and spiritual festivals are occasions when we renew these qualities, in order to lead a peaceful and wholesome life," Sinha said.

She called upon people to rededicate themselves to live together as member of one family and work for greater glory and progress of the nation.

Chief Minister Parrikar in his message said, "This Christmas, let us resolve to promote unity and be the harbinger of peace and development in the state. Let us all unite and work for the welfare of the state by channelising all our efforts and energy in ensuring progress of our state."