By Santosh Digal
Thrissur, Kerala: More than 100,000 people of different creeds participated at the Buon Natale (meaning merry Christmas) parade with message of harmony at Thrissur on Dec 27.
The Thrissur Archdiocese in association with Thrissur Pauravali organized the event in connection with Christmas and New Year.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, flagged off a procession from St. Thomas College at 4.30 p.m in the presence of Hindu, Christian and Muslim leaders.
State Tourism Minister Katakampalli Surendran was the chief guest.
The annual pageant had over two dozen big floats and over 6,000 in Santa Clause costumes dancing to Christmas carols while tens of thousands watched on both sides of the three-kilometers long round about in the heart of Thrissur.
The procession went around the city and ended at the St. Thomas College itself by 7.30 p.m., said Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath.
“Buon Natale is a cultural festival in connection with Christmas and New Year. The celebrations are aimed at strengthening communal harmony. People are cooperating with the celebrations irrespective of religion, caste, and political beliefs,” Mar Thazhath said.
The procession had more than 20 floats, which showcased the cultural heritage and communal harmony of the country. More than 50 artisans from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry made them, said Fr. Lijo Chittilappilly, working chairman of buon Natale, said. A flash mob by more than 5,000 dancers had another attraction.
A mini-pooram with three caparisoned elephants and percussion ensembles also added colour to the procession.
A procession of Harley-Davidson bikes, band sets, camels, 1,000-odd angels, cycle rickshaws, and many Santa Clauses was some of the other attractions of the procession.
The funds for charity in connection with buon Natale was declared at the valedictory. Houses were built and financial assistance was provided for the poor.
The buon Natale celebrations, which had already entered the Guinness World Records as the largest gathering of Santha Clauses, was marked in a more colourful manner this time, said Mayor Ajitha Jayarajan.
Ministers A.C. Moideen, V.S. Sunil Kumar, C. Ravidranath and MLAs also participated at the event.