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Indo-Asian News Service, India
December 25, 2012 Tuesday
Taj city celebrates Christmas
Agra
Agra, Dec. 25 -- An abrupt fall in day temperature and foggy
conditions did not deter merry makers who celebrated Christmas with
vigour in the Taj city.
In most Christian homes, like in Padri Tola colony, the shining stars
were put up with decorative lights. Some had little Christ figurines
in the crib.
The chief centre of attraction remained the imposing Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception, built in 1848.
It showcased a huge float depicting the little Babe of Bethelehem, his
parents, the shepherds and the three wise men of the East along wih
models of animals.
"Festivals these days have become truly national and all-community
events," said Rajesh of Vidhyarthi Stores on Motilal Nehru Road. "The
sale of Christmas trees and customary cakes saw a sharp increase."
"The Xmas celebrations have taken a local flavour with sweets and
cakes made of khoya," said Shishir Bhagat of the 250-year-old Bhagat
Halwai establishment.
"Our chaat stalls are crowded," he added.
According to Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage
Conservation Society, more than 70 percent of hymns and carols were
now in Hindi.
Even the rituals in the church have taken a local hue.
"A 'bhandara' was organised at St Peter's Church a few days ago,"
Sharma told IANS.
The midnight mass at the Cathedral and other churches draw the
faithful from their sleep, heralding the Christmas celebrations.
Over years, Christians in Agra have embraced local hue and flavour.
A sari-clad Virgin Mary under a peepal tree with St Joseph attired as
an Indian farmer no longer surprise the faithful.
Though the number of Christians in Agra has dwindled to just a few
thousand, the interest in Christmas celebrations has increased.
The Taj city's Christmas tradition goes back to the early Mughals who
participated in festivals of all faiths and allowed European
missionaries and businessmen to settle down in Agra.
The Armenians from Central Asia had a sprawling colony and carried on
their trade with local merchants during Akbar's rule.
Long before British colonials chose Agra as the centre of their
administrative network in the 18th century, Christian missionaries had
set up base and were formally entertained by Mughal rulers.
Emperor Akbar is said to have had a fascination for Christianity.
Church records say that in 1632, Emperor Shah Jahan defeated the
Portuguese. Thousands of Catholic prisoners were brought to Agra and
faced persecution.
The emperor later relented but asked the Jesuit fathers to demolish
the church. After a few years Shah Jahan again granted permission to
rebuild the church.
December 25, 2012 Tuesday
Taj city celebrates Christmas
Agra
Agra, Dec. 25 -- An abrupt fall in day temperature and foggy
conditions did not deter merry makers who celebrated Christmas with
vigour in the Taj city.
In most Christian homes, like in Padri Tola colony, the shining stars
were put up with decorative lights. Some had little Christ figurines
in the crib.
The chief centre of attraction remained the imposing Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception, built in 1848.
It showcased a huge float depicting the little Babe of Bethelehem, his
parents, the shepherds and the three wise men of the East along wih
models of animals.
"Festivals these days have become truly national and all-community
events," said Rajesh of Vidhyarthi Stores on Motilal Nehru Road. "The
sale of Christmas trees and customary cakes saw a sharp increase."
"The Xmas celebrations have taken a local flavour with sweets and
cakes made of khoya," said Shishir Bhagat of the 250-year-old Bhagat
Halwai establishment.
"Our chaat stalls are crowded," he added.
According to Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage
Conservation Society, more than 70 percent of hymns and carols were
now in Hindi.
Even the rituals in the church have taken a local hue.
"A 'bhandara' was organised at St Peter's Church a few days ago,"
Sharma told IANS.
The midnight mass at the Cathedral and other churches draw the
faithful from their sleep, heralding the Christmas celebrations.
Over years, Christians in Agra have embraced local hue and flavour.
A sari-clad Virgin Mary under a peepal tree with St Joseph attired as
an Indian farmer no longer surprise the faithful.
Though the number of Christians in Agra has dwindled to just a few
thousand, the interest in Christmas celebrations has increased.
The Taj city's Christmas tradition goes back to the early Mughals who
participated in festivals of all faiths and allowed European
missionaries and businessmen to settle down in Agra.
The Armenians from Central Asia had a sprawling colony and carried on
their trade with local merchants during Akbar's rule.
Long before British colonials chose Agra as the centre of their
administrative network in the 18th century, Christian missionaries had
set up base and were formally entertained by Mughal rulers.
Emperor Akbar is said to have had a fascination for Christianity.
Church records say that in 1632, Emperor Shah Jahan defeated the
Portuguese. Thousands of Catholic prisoners were brought to Agra and
faced persecution.
The emperor later relented but asked the Jesuit fathers to demolish
the church. After a few years Shah Jahan again granted permission to
rebuild the church.