Mangalore: City Enveloped in Christmas Spirit, Decked up in Myriad Colours
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Dec 24: We are approaching the joyous occasion of Christmas, the festival that announces the birth of Jesus Christ, once again. The festival is not only one of the most important festivals of Christians, but it also is accompanied by sanctity and reverence.
Christmas trees, elaborately designed and decorated cribs, colourful stars etc have made their appearances in front of houses. Large-sized cribs and Christmas trees have also been set up at churches.
Christmas is celebrated with the message of peace, harmonious coexistence, and love. Houses and churches start preparations for this festival several weeks in advance. Churches organize Christmas Carol teams accompanied by Santa Claus, for visiting the homes of Christian families falling within their respective parishes since about a month in advance. The Carols, which are melodious and devotional to the core, not only announce the birth of Jesus, they also sing His eulogies. These teams also extend warm invitation to the families they visit, for the Christmas programmes being held in the churches.
Cribs take centrestage in Christmas celebrations. They are prepared by people about a week before Christmas, with lot of patience, hard work, sincerity, and a sense of devotion. The cribs normally depict a scene of anxious wait for the birth of Jesus in a serene atmosphere, complete with greenery, agricultural fields, sheep, and goats. Miniature models of Mother Mary, Joseph, and angels, can also be normally found in these cribs. The tiny doll of Infant Jesus placed on sheaves of hay happens to be the major attraction of these cribs. Normally, the cribs in their entirety are made of naturally available things which include germinated paddy, green gram, and Bengal gram, which portray a message of abundance. Christmas trees installed by the side of these cribs provide an attractive picture with sparkling stars and colourful greeting cards.
On the occasion of Christmas, Christians of the coast prepare unique and delicious delicacies known as ‘Kuswar’ in local parlance. During this period, Kuswar, which is usually deep-fried, is also available in bakeries in west coast. Tastefully designed cakes also form an integral part of the celebrations. Christian families can be seen since some days before Christmas, making purchases of new clothes and ornaments to celebrate their favourite festival in a grand manner.