Christmas celebrated with religious fervour in Nagaland

After attending midnight mass, Christians in Kohima thronged churches of different denominations this morning to celebrate Christmas, the largest festival in Nagaland.

The people of all ages in new clothes were thronging the churches in the town to attend special services on the occasion. Kohima Lotha Baptist Church celebrated the occasion at Kohima local ground.

Exchange of greetings and gifts, visits to relatives, games and sports among children, community feasts marked the celebration across the state where over 80% of the population are Christians.

Many revellers burst firecrackers here and Dimapur to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Much ahead of Christmas, the houses, churches, public buildings and market places were illuminated with decorative lights, Christmas trees and stars in the towns of the state.

In a message, Nagaland governor Nikhil Kumar said the Christmas is a time to cherish peace and goodwill, a time for love and forgiveness and a time to celebrate and rejoice.

Wishing the people a merry Christmas and a happy new year, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, in a local broadcast, reminded them of the need of inner peace when they outwardly rejoice during this festive season.

He called upon all to strengthen the bond of fraternity in Naga society through reconciliation with a spirit of forgiveness in true Christian teachings.