Puri/Guwahati/Panaji/New Delhi, Dec 25: Christmas is being celebrated across the country today. The midnight masses were held on Monday night in almost all churches.

Goa began Christmas celebrations just before midnight in the presence of some European royals.

A hotel organised a 'Namaste India' programme, wherein a man dressed as Santa Claus entered the venue in a palanquin.

"The atmosphere was great. The children enjoyed it. They were dancing and singing," said Countess Frankenstein H.

Cribs depicting the birth of Jesus were set up in almost every household.

In Delhi, a man dressed as Santa Claus mounted a chariot and performed the Bhangra with children.

Some children also dressed as Santa and danced to tunes like Jingle Bells.

Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik created a giant sculpture of Christ on the Puri beach.

"Last year, we made biggest Santa Claus. This year, we aimed to make the tallest sculpture and we selected Jesus Christ for that. Its height is 22 feet. It took 600 tonnes of sand to make this sculpture and 15 of my students made it," Patnaik said.

Christmas is also being celebrated in the northeast, where a large chunk of Christians reside.

“Christian community is praying for peace in the Northeast. We want peace to prevail everywhere," said Father Mark of Doubosco Church, Guwahati.

Amid the celebrations, some Bajrang Dal activists vandalised a Christmas Tree and other Christian symbols that were on display at the Raja Bhoj Airport lounge in Bhopal. (ANI)