Christmas celebrated in Punjab, Haryana

Christmas was celebrated with usual zeal and enthusiasm across Punjab and Haryana today.

Special prayers were held at the churches across the two states.

Celebrations were held in several parts of Punjab and Haryana where Christians exchanged greetings with Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.

A 25-feet-long Christmas tree was set up at Chandigarh's major tourist spot- Sukhna Lake. The venue was decked up with colourful balloons, buntings with gift and goodies indicating the start of period of merriment.

The children of slum areas in Chandigarh were the special guest at the Lake where Santa came on a colourful decorated motorboat and distributed gifts and chocolates to the kids.
 

The children had a gala time in the morning as they got their photographs clicked with Santa Claus on a sleigh.

Around 150 children from various slums of the city were also given a free joy ride on hop-on and hop-off coach by the UT Tourism Department and Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Corporation (CITCO), a CITCO spokesman said.