Despite the biting cold of a Wednesday night, the Christian community in Coimbatore stepped out in large numbers to usher in Christmas with traditional fervour and devotion. Churches across the city held special midnight services, creating a vibrant atmosphere of faith and celebration.
Midnight Masses and Church Celebrations
The festivities commenced at 11 PM on Christmas Eve and continued well into the afternoon, until around 1 PM on Christmas Day. Numerous historic churches opened their beautifully decorated doors to the faithful. Key venues included St Michael's Church on Big Bazaar Street, St Anthony's Church in Puliyakulam, Christ the King Church at Anupperpalayam, and the All Souls CSI Church on Race Course Road. These structures were adorned with dazzling serial lights, welcoming devotees into a warm, celebratory space.
The core of the celebrations involved the holy mass, sermons focusing on peace, and poignant reenactments of the nativity of Jesus Christ. The events typically concluded on a joyful note with cake-cutting ceremonies and the exchange of "Merry Christmas" greetings among attendees.
Grace Mary, a participant at St Anthony's Church, shared her reflections, emphasizing the day's deeper meaning. "Christmas is a day to remember Jesus’s love for humankind," she said. "His birth carries a powerful message about sharing love with everyone."
Tourist Influx to City Attractions
With Christmas being a public holiday, the city's popular spots witnessed a significant surge in visitors. A major draw was the newly inaugurated Semmozhi Poonga, which saw a footfall of approximately 25,000 people on Thursday. Kovai Kutralam also reported a busy day with many locals and tourists exploring the area.
Ooty's Frosty Disappointment
The tourist rush extended to the neighbouring Nilgiris district, with Ooty attracting large crowds. Many visitors from nearby regions travelled with the primary goal of experiencing the winter frost. However, they faced a setback as the forest department had enforced a ban on public entry into Thalaikundha, a popular spot for viewing frost.
This led to disappointment among families who had made the trip specifically for this experience. Hemanth, a tourist from Telangana, who visited the Ooty Botanical Garden with his family, expressed his feelings. "It was a total letdown when the police did not allow anyone to go to Thalaikundha," he stated. "Adding to that, there wasn't much frost or snow visible today. So, we quickly changed our plans and decided to spend some leisure time at the Botanical Garden instead. The children enjoyed looking at the flowers and playing on the lawn."
Despite the initial disappointment for some, the overall spirit of the holiday season remained high in the region, marked by religious observance in Coimbatore and recreational tourism in the hill stations.
