PANAJI
It is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the celebrations in Goa year round but with less than four days for Christmas to arrive, the celebratory activities around the feast to mark the birth of Christ are yet to manifest themselves across the State's cities and countryside.
On the commercial side, many hotels and socio-cultural clubs have already laid the red carpet for guests to make the most of the season. However, the community-driven celebrations -- groups singing carols and serenading one home at a time, 'christmas tree' celebrations aimed at kids in the neighbourhood and such other celebratory initiatives -- have been relatively subdued this year.
Typically, celebrations for Christmas begin in the second week of December first with churches and chapels, streets, markets and public squares getting dressed with glittering decor and lights.
Nonetheless at the individual level, Christian homes in the State are in an advanced stage of preparing for the festivities.
"We have whitewashed our house and our crib is almost ready. Tomorrow we will be putting up the stars all around the house. We along with our neighbours are also going around in the neighbourhood singing carols," said Francis Gonsalves who lives in the Corte Real locality of St Cruz village.
Gonsalves said, the Holy Cross parish Church of St Cruz also has several programmes lined up throughout the Christmas season with the solemn mid-night mass on December 24-25 being the highlight.
Like St Cruz, parishes across Goa have also drawn up plans of various celebrations throughout the Christmas season. Carol singing competitions, Christmas-themed skits and dramas, 'Christmas Tree' parties for children with Santa Claus holding forth, are some of the programmes planned.
Hotels jostle to
rev up celebrations
On the commercial side, top hotels across the State have an itenary packed until New Year's day.
Christmas eve dinners, Christmas Day brunches, special children's Christmas parties, musical evenings with renowned musicians playing live and several other activities are on the itenary of every three, four and five-star property dotting the Goan coastline.
Additionally, some of the local socio-cultural clubs in cities and villages have their own Christmas week programmes lined up including the traditional Christmas and New Year dances.
The State administration meanwhile has relaxed the sound laws on Christmas eve, Christmas Day and the day following Christmas. The official notification issued a couple of months ago permits the use of amplified sound from December 24 to 26 up to midnight.
