Bangalore:
A year long wait and Christmas is here again with all the jingle bells.
Bangalorians, all old and young were busy rushing for last minute shopping of decorative items for their house on Christmas Eve. Christmas trees, wreaths, bells, stars, balloons and Christmas goodies in all hues and colours thronged the lanes along St Mary's Basilica, Shivajinagar, Commercial Street and other small markets around Gandhi Bazar and Malleswaram as well.
"I will give only Rs 50 for this star" said Esther, who was seen bargaining with the shopkeeper who was asking Rs 80 just outside St Marys Church at Shivajinagar. Speaking to Express, Esther, who works for a private company as an accountant said, "I don't have time to check around other shops. I will rather purchase the decorative items here. I have to get back home, finish up the decoration and come to church in the night for the mass."
People were seen with their families in huge number since Saturday evening at the St Mary's Basilica for the holy mass. Sonu, a resident of Sarjapur Road said, "Once I am done with my prayers here, I will be going to Infant Jesus Church at Viveknagar for carol singing at 7.00 pm and the holy mass at 8.00 pm."
However, eco-friendly Christmas celebration seemed to be the watchword among most Bangaloreans. "I have bought an imported Christmas tree. I am against cutting of trees and branches of pine to make Christmas trees. Small steps like this from everyone would help save the environment" said, Joseph D Souza, a shopper at Commercial Street.
Like every year, city based Marthoma Church at Primrose Road has made a Christmas tree out of Jaquard loom cards. "The cards look like leaves on a Christmas tree during morning hours, while at night, light pours out through the holes in the cards creating a silhouette of the pattern" said a spokesperson from Marthoma Church.