Patna transformed into a vibrant hub of celebration on Thursday as the city wholeheartedly embraced the Christmas spirit. The air filled with hymns and the warmth of community as thousands of devotees, braving the winter chill, flocked to beautifully decorated cathedrals and churches to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Churches Resonate with Devotion and Prayer
The festivities commenced with the traditional midnight vigil on Wednesday, where the night air was filled with the pealing of church bells and soulful carols. The fervour continued well into Thursday, with large crowds gathering at places of worship across the city. Devotees lit candles, offered prayers, and enjoyed freshly baked cakes during special Christmas mass services.
Major congregations were witnessed at prominent venues including the Queen of Apostles Church in Kurji, the historic Padri Ki Haveli in Patna City, Sacred Hearts Church in Patliputra, St Mary’s Church, St John’s The Apostle Church, and St Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral in Bankipore. Attendees admired elaborate decorations, twinkling Christmas trees, and intricate cribs depicting the nativity scene.
At St Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, over 400 devotees gathered for the morning prayer service led by Parish Priest Fr Kuldeep, who mentioned the church remained open to the public all day. Meanwhile, over 5,000 people offered prayers at Kurji Church, also marveling at the beautiful cribs and Christmas tree on the premises, with many capturing photos against the enchanting festive backdrop.
Spirit of Giving and City-Wide Festivities
True to the season's message, the celebrations extended beyond prayer. Many individuals and churches actively practiced compassion by distributing alms, food, clothes, and blankets to the underprivileged. After services, people warmly exchanged Christmas greetings, fostering a strong sense of community and shared joy.
The festive mood enveloped the entire city. Malls, the bustling Saras Mela at Gandhi Maidan, museums, parks, Patna Zoo, hotels, restaurants, and theatres were packed with revellers. Families strolled illuminated streets, children enjoyed fair rides, and friends gathered, creating an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness.
Traffic Snarls Reflect Enthusiastic Participation
The city's vibrant enthusiasm led to significant logistical echoes. Major roads across Patna witnessed heavy traffic snarls as vehicles crawled through the surge of festive outings. To manage congestion, traffic police erected barricades at several points, restricting commercial vehicles. For instance, on Ashok Rajpath, autos and e-rickshaws were not allowed to move towards Gandhi Maidan from B N College, and vehicles from Bans Ghat were diverted to Marine Drive.
Residents shared their experiences amidst the bustling celebrations. Priyam Sinha from Buddha Colony enjoyed movies, shopping, and visiting churches but noted the real challenge was manoeuvring through heavy traffic. Echoing the need for more infrastructure, S K Puri resident Vinit Agarwal highlighted the overcrowding, stating that people had to wait up to half an hour to enter malls and that Patna needs more hangout places, especially during such festive seasons.
Ultimately, the air in Patna buzzed with excitement and goodwill, turning the city into a lively tapestry of lights, music, and shared happiness, marking a Christmas celebration remembered for its devotion and communal spirit.
