Celebrations in the Kandhamal district, where the Christmas attacks began 15 years ago, were characterized by great fervor. Father Madan Singh: “Many tribals of other religions also paid homage with lighted candles to the newborn king in the manger” On Gopalpur beach, the world’s largest sand statue of Santa Claus.
Bhubaneswar () – After two years of restrictions imposed by Covid, in the Indian state of Orissa – which was the scene of harsh persecution just 15 years ago – Christmas was celebrated with great joy and participation. In the districts of Kandhamal and Sundargarh, where the Christian presence is more significant, the celebrations were characterized by the fervor of the faithful, with midnight masses in the churches and solidarity initiatives in favor of the poor.
Father Madan Singh, director of Jana Vikas, the Kandhamal district social development center run by the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, told : “People were excited to celebrate Christmas together again. The party brought together people of all denominations, the district administration organized a meeting of the Peace Committee, and the police were very attentive. At night, mass was celebrated in all the parishes with a re-enactment of the manger. Many tribals from other religions also came to pay homage with lighted candles to the king born in the manger.”
In Bhubaneswar, large numbers of people of all faiths lined up with lighted candles to pray in front of the manger at St. Vincent’s Cathedral.
A beautiful surprise added to the party in Orissa: Sand sculptor Sudarshan Patnaik created an imposing 8-meter-tall and 18-meter-wide reproduction of Santa Claus using sand and tomatoes on Gopalpur beach. Patnaik himself claimed that it was the world’s largest sculpture of its kind.
