Secunderabad lights up for Christmas: Churches, markets and homes abuzz with festivities

Hyderabad: The weather has turned cold and although Hyderabad does not experience a white Christmas, Xmas parties are more enjoyable this year. It is time for Xmas and holiday shopping, eating and merry making.

City-wide celebrations

Shops, malls, restaurants, bakeries and clubs will be filled to capacity on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Festive lights, Christmas trees and stars in shops and homes fill people with warmth and good cheer. The melodious voices of carol singers were heard all through the month. Xmas fetes were organized at various locations in the twin cities. Midnight masses will be held in different Churches and are always very well attended by Christians who want to start the day on a good note.

Delicious food

Bakeries across the Twin Cities offer all the traditional Xmas goodies: Christmas cookies, rich plum pudding and cakes and kulkuls. The best mince pies, roast turkey and Xmas puddings this year will be available at the Secunderabad Club. The star hotels pull out all stops to offer a huge spread of cold cuts, traditional turkey, salads and of course the Hyderabadi Biryani for the die-hard fans of the local dish! Xmas brunch, lunch and dinner will be washed down with eggnog and mulled wine.

Preparations

Homemade coconut sweets, cheese and cakes are served in Christian homes. Cribs are set up and young girls can be seen shopping for cards, gifts, decorations and additions for their cribs at 5th Avenue Gallery, Sainikpuri. The General Bazaar Lane in Secunderabad is usually crowded all of December. Shoppers find great bargains and novelties there.

Decorations

Malls and boutiques are beautifully decorated too. Santa Clauses can be seen in various malls, giving away sweets, Christmas crackers and small gifts, much to the delight of children. Xmas fetes were organised by Zoroastrian Club, Secunderabad Club, apartment complexes and at many schools and colleges. All of them are crowd-pullers.

Many Christian homes have more to celebrate this season as adults and children working and studying in different cities return to Hyderabad just in time for Xmas. Dances and dinners are organised in pubs, hotels and clubs and are very well-attended by our cosmopolitan Hyderabadis who just need a reason to party.

Xmas facts

The term Christmas is a translation of the Old English version – ‘Cristes Maesse’ which literally means the “Mass of Christ.” It is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar and the most auspicious and holy Christian festival observed across the globe on December 25 with much fanfare.

December 25 is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Jesus Christ, who is believed to be born on the same date in Bethlehem. Christmas is basically celebrated by the Christians, but it is also observed as a day of celebration by other communities around the globe. Our modern Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions from around the globe.

Celebrations in Twin Cities

Dr Naveen Elias, general practitioner and musician said, “Regarding Christmas celebrations, it’s quiet time for us this time as no relatives or family are visiting. We will watch the midnight mass at the Vatican online. I enjoy the choir singing the high mass in Latin. We are parishioners of the St. Sebastian’s Church, near Bhavans college. I did my bit playing for the online Christmas concert accompanying the festival choristers.”

Aruna Bahuguna, retired director of the National Police Academy said, “We have an open house at home on Xmas Day. Friends know they don’t need an invite and just come over.”

Maria Kankipati, retired teacher and now homemaker, said, “Christmas is a season of twin glories of generosity and gratitude. We attend Bethany House of Prayer church on the eve of Christmas praising God through joyous carols. We cook a variety of delicious food, make different sweets and enjoy a family meal, thanking God for rendering His lavish love on us making our homes a blessed place of peace, love and joy. We don't participate in carols because of health issues instead church carols visit us.”

Jason Wilson, retired AGM at Bakelite Hylam and his wife Lily, a retired bank manager said, “We will visit our church which is the Church of St John the Baptist, CSI Medak Diocese in East Marredpally, Secunderabad. It was established in 1813.”

Ajo Mathen Matthew, associate vice president of Deloitte said, “We go to St. Andrew’s Marathoma Kerala Church next to Parade Ground metro station. My daughter Alena was part of our St Andrew’s church carol singing which took place on the December 14 evening.”

Mondira Jaisimha, who runs Elder Care, said, “I am celebrating Christmas with family at home. I am singing in the Christmas concert ‘A Not so Silent Night.’”

Sarah Isaac is organising Christmas Child, a charity event which gives all its money collected to underprivileged children.

Dr Kiran Chakravarty Sumanth, author of three poetry books and a medical doctor, said, “We celebrate Xmas by going for the midnight service on Christmas Eve. Our family goes to church and after returning we cut a homemade cake. My late mother had kept the family tradition of baking a Christmas cake, making ghujiyas, shakar paare and namkeen paare, and also not forgetting chocolate fudge. I am trying hard to keep it up. This Christmas, as my husband Jairaj is away for a course, I will be attending the church service with my son Rajeev. We attend Christmas carols at the All Saints Church, Trimulgherry. The joy and peace of Christmas need to be shared with each other. We need to spread unconditional love so that the world stands together in unity.”