Tura, Dec 26: Garo Hills has been wrapped in Christmas festivity since December 24th with record crowds witnessed at midnight church services that was followed by an equal number, or more, at the various community dances venues that had sprung up across Tura and other parts of Garo Hills for the weeklong celebrations that will culminate with a grand finale on January 1st New Year with the traditional “Song Kristan” community dances across the region, particularly North Garo Hills.
Christmas celebrations began with the traditional midnight church service on December 24th as devotees offered prayers and wishes to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. With the cold winter weather surprisingly easing up in the run up to Christmas day, a record number of people were out heading to church on the eve of Christmas.
The message of peace and love, caring for the needy and sharing the gift of love and compassion with those less fortunate were given during church service.
The footfall was remarkably high across Tura, Williamnagar and even Baghmara town on Christmas eve. As the bell struck midnight, a huge fireworks display in Tura and other towns ushered in Christmas celebrations. People were out on the streets celebrating the biggest religious festival of the year with songs and dances.
The traditional community dance at Jangga locality in Tura once again mesmerized the people as thousands of revellers flocked to Wadanang’s Jangga locality to partake in the community dance. Despite the best efforts of organizers, traffic snarls couldn’t be avodied given the massive turnout of people.
In the face of modern day musical events and technocraft, Jangga continues to be the much sought after venue for people keen to celebrate Christmas the traditional way- a man beating a huge drum in the centre of the field and hundreds of people dancing around him to the tune of age old Garo Christmas songs.
Modern decorative lightings at select places in Tura and Williamnagar were also centres of attraction post the midnight service. Christmas lights next to Chandmari field in Tura were a welcome sight for the tired and weary travellers heading into town from distant Guwahati and Shillong.
Then there were the spectacular Christmas decorations outside the P A Sangma sports stadium in Dakopgre. A giant Christmas tree, colorfully lit murals and decorative lights from one end of the road to the other all across the stadium became a magnet for the public, especially children. There was no end to selfies at the venue.
Williamnagar town in East Garo Hills also put up a show with the police personnel having spruced up the main road with a multitude of lights, murals and Christmas tidings. For the countless number of visitors to these venues, it was a night to remember.
