KOHIMA, Dec 25 – With a partly clouded winter sky, people across Nagaland today joined Christmas celebrations, the largest festival in this Christian-dominated hill State. After attending the Midnight Mass last night, people were seen thronging the churches of different denominations in their best attire to attend the morning services.

People, particularly women and children, headed to the churches to attend Christmas celebrations in Dimapur, Mokokchung and other areas.

Exchange of greetings, merry making, visits to near and dear ones and community feasts marked the celebration across hills and valleys of Nagaland where the escalating food price could not act as the dampner.

In Naga society, Christmas has been an occasion for reunion of families, clans and villagers. Meghalaya Governor Nikhil Kumar, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Maharastra Governor S C Jamir greeted the people on the occasion.

Christianity started here in the later part of 19th century through the ‘Ao Naga’ when American Baptist missionaries spread the message of Gospel. – PTI

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