Hyderabadis has big plans for festival after two-year Covid disruption
Post Date – 11:45 PM, Mon – 12 December 22
Photo: Surya Sridhar
Hyderabad: The much-anticipated festive season has arrived, and after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyderabadi people are planning to celebrate Christmas in a big way this year. From cultural events at church to Christmas carols and secret Santas at the workplace, it seems like we’re back to our pre-COVID days.
Advent is part of four weeks of joyful preparations to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and churches in Hyderabad have started organizing themed celebrations. Mount Carmel Church in Bowenpally has events for seniors, couples, teens and children. The Church also reaches out to orphans, providing them with food.
Likewise, the chapel under St Joseph’s in Abiz has been divided into two areas that will compete with each other on Advent Sunday, as well as dedicated themes for seniors, couples, teenagers and children.
“We’re happy to see more congregations and cheers this year. Young people in our church have started going door to door singing carols,” said Father Vincent of Mount Carmel Church.
For Capgemini’s software developer Ruchita Allam, Christmas has always been about celebrating, exchanging gifts and spreading joy with people. “For the past two years, we’ve kept our celebrations modest due to the pandemic. However, this year, we were able to have a bigger celebration by bringing more people home,” she said, adding, “ What’s exciting about this year is that our offices are beautifully decorated and management has organized traditional events such as Secret Santa.”
Angelina, who has been singing carols since Advent, plans to splurge this Christmas. “I have decorated my Christmas tree and am eagerly waiting to start my Christmas shopping. There are also many Christmas events taking place in several places in the city this year, and I will definitely be catching some of them,” said IT Staff Say.
Photo: Surya Sridhar
