Hyderabad, Dec 25 (NationPress) Christmas was celebrated with vibrant festivities in the Telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Wednesday.

A large number of people participated in midnight mass and special morning prayers.

Highlights of the celebrations included special prayers in churches since midnight, carol singing, and Secret Santa events at workplaces, along with the bursting of firecrackers.

Churches in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad were beautifully decorated and illuminated for the occasion. Devotees began flocking to the churches since Tuesday night.

Special prayers were also held in churches across other towns of Telangana and neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

The festivities kicked off with midnight mass at numerous churches in Secunderabad, which has a significant Christian population.

An atmosphere of celebration filled the air as people exchanged Christmas greetings and gifts. Churches organized various cultural programs for senior citizens, couples, youths, and children.

Large gatherings were observed at SCI Wesley Church and the historic St John's Church, which is over 200 years old, in Secunderabad. Additional masses were attended at St Mary's Church, All Saints Church, Wesley Church, Holy Trinity Church, and Millennium Methodist Church. The priests prayed for peace and emphasized the message of Jesus' birth.

The Anglo-Indian community in Lalaguda, Secunderabad celebrated Christmas with great enthusiasm in a traditional manner. Known as Little England, this community has its own unique style of celebrating the festival.

Making cakes and wine at home is a cherished part of their celebrations.

Dressed in their finest attire, men, women, and children attended the midnight services in elaborately decorated churches.

Christian families participated in cutting cakes as part of their festivities and exchanged greetings.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was present at the Christmas and centenary celebrations of the historic Church of South India (CSI) in Medak.

This Christmas coincided with the 100th anniversary of the CSI. The Medak Cathedral Church, the second largest of its kind in Asia, was constructed between 1914 and 1924.

Built with granite in the Gothic style, the church features stained glass windows depicting stories from the Bible. The historic church was illuminated for the occasion.

Similar Christmas celebrations were held in Khammam, Adilabad, and other towns in Telangana, while in Andhra Pradesh, festivities took place in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Ongole, Kadapa, Bheemavaram, and other towns.

Celebrations were also held in the capital of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravati. In Prakasam district, pastors led special prayers at the century-old Chirala St Louis Marks Lutheran Church.

Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. A. Nazeer, and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extended their warm greetings to the people.