New Delhi: Christmas is a holiday celebrated worldwide, which is associated with warmth, joy, and goodwill. It is celebrated on December 25th and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. On the enchanting evening of Christmas Eve, the entire nation came alive with a radiant glow as churches across the country adorned themselves with a dazzling array of sparkling lights and flickering candles in anticipation of the joyous occasion of Jesus Christ’s birthday. 

From the Holy Family Catholic Church in the heart of Srinagar to the lively streets of Kochi in the southern reaches of Kerala, the nation resonated with the spirit of Christmas, transforming into a spectacle of resplendent lights that illuminated the festive celebrations from north to south. 

#WATCH | Kerala: Streets of Thiruvananthapuram all decked up with decorative lights on #Christmaseve pic.twitter.com/kn8jam5yqj
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

#WATCH | Goa: Streets of Panaji decorated with colourful lights, brimming with people on the #Christmaseve pic.twitter.com/31qqEf0XJX
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

#WATCH | J&K: A church in Jammu lit up colourful lights and decorated on #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/6QAaKDt4Kr
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: People throng Park Street on #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/4LkJNWYUqe
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

#WATCH | Kerala: Streets of Kochi illuminated with colourful lights and decorated beautifully on the #ChristmasEve pic.twitter.com/rmY9ejlkOj
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

#WATCH | Meghalaya: Streets of Shillong all decked up, brimming with people ahead of Christmas and New Year pic.twitter.com/ZC4K5JaEBV
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

Meanwhile, with the Christmas holiday clubbed with the weekend, people took a chance to celebrate the festival at their nearest tourist hot spot which in turn resulted in long jams at several areas including Manali and Shimala which is generally the spot for Delhi-NCR people for short vacation.

#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Traffic congestion and slow vehicular movement witnessed in Manali as people throng to hilly areas ahead of Christmas and New Year pic.twitter.com/XVxwhBal2a

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

The Koyembedu area of Chennai, Tamil Nadu witnessed heavy traffic jams on Christmas eve and people flocked to Marina Beach on the weekend, ahead of Christmas.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Traffic snarls in Koyembedu area of Chennai on Christmas eve pic.twitter.com/vF7yX015y6
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik also marked the occasion of Jesus Christ by creating a sand sculpture of Santa Claus using onions at Puri’s Blue Flag beach with the message ‘Gift A Plant, Green The Earth’.

#WATCH | Odisha: Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik says, “…It is 100 feet long, 20 feet high and 40 feet wide sculpture. We have used two tonnes of onions…” pic.twitter.com/GPFjJkj7Bq

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

Speaking to ANI, Pattnaik said the sculpture is 100 feet long, 20 feet high, and 40 feet wide and two tonnes of onions have been used in its making.

Christmas brings a variety of traditions, including festive decorations, gift-giving, and gatherings with family and friends. The holiday season is defined by glowing lights, adorned trees, and the spirit of generosity, which fosters a sense of togetherness and spreads cheer throughout communities.