The Yuletide spirit swept the city on Tuesday as Guwahatians, dressed in their Sunday best, flocked to Don Bosco and Christ Church Guwahati in Panbazar since morning and the churches were decked up with balloons, streamers, multi-coloured lights and stars.

The nativity scene — statues of Joseph, Mary and infant Jesus — at Don Bosco Church was a major attraction.

Crowds swelled towards the evening and thousands of people, including youths, thronged the area.

A fair-like atmosphere prevailed as vendors sold Santa caps, candles, figurines of Jesus and Mary, key chains, beads, balloons, candy, snacks and toys on the roadside in front of the church. Many sported Santa caps. A person dressed up as Santa Claus offered photo ops to youths and children.

Gautam Debnath, his wife and two children visited the Don Bosco Church. “We are secular and celebrate all festivals with equal fervour,” he said.

The Christmas service at Christ Church was attended by more than 300 worshippers at 9.30am. The Christmas Eve service at the church was held at 11.30pm on Monday.

Among those attending the prayers was legendary West Indies cricketer Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, who is on a visit to the city. He was bowled over by the atmosphere and service in the oldest Anglican church in the Northeast, set up in 1844, said Biswajeet Borkakoti, the Church’s pastorate committee secretary.

“Apart from Christmas services, we also organised a Bible-reading service on December 16 — a festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. No service was possible this evening as thousands of people from different faiths thronged the church. Our congregation, comprising around 54 families, will have a ‘love feast’ next Sunday and gifts will be exchanged,” Borkakoti said.

The spirit of giving on Christmas was exemplified by Foundation Xmas India, which organised an Xmas health festival in the Kharguli area, offering free health screening to more than 200 children below 10.

The foundation was set up in 2003 by Dibakar Kalita, a child specialist who felt that his son Adrian’s birthday on Christmas Day could be an

occasion to serve society.

He tied up with Rotary Club of Guwahati West, diagnostic laboratories and pharmaceutical companies to organise health-screening for children.

Kalita teaches schools dropouts and children vendors at his Infinity Open School.

People offer prayers at Don Bosco School Saint Joseph’s Church in Guwahati on Tuesday. UB Photos