Santa Claus astounds devotees in Ajmer

AJMER - Christmas and New Year fever has reached new heights in Ajmer when devotees at the Dargah (mausoleum) of a Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti were surprised to see a man dressed as Santa Claus amidst them on Wednesday.

He was seen mingling with one and all, spreading the message of peace and the essence of communal amity.

This Santa Claus even carried over his head, the traditional Chaddar (shroud) offered by visiting devotees.

“All of us along with Santa prayed at the Dargah (mausoleum) seeking peace and social harmony. We all wish there should be no terrorism in the country,” said Faizal Chisty, a caretaker of Dargah.

The Santa was a person named Lloyd Anthony. He said that his visiting the Dargah in the attire of Santa was just a humble initiative to revive brotherhood among all the faiths in the nation.

He appealed for peace and harmony by urging upon the people to bear in mind the joys of Christmas for all times to come.

“Peace and harmony…and brotherhood are not found in any other nation. But some cruel people create bottlenecks and do not want to the society to progress and for good relations between communities. Such people should not be spared. All people should come forward and pray for eternal peace and harmony,” said Lloyd Anthony.

Meanwhile, in New Delhi, preparations for the Christmas were in full swing as evident from illuminated houses, markets, malls and several public places.

Decorated markets and trees happened to be the common sight in the city. (ANI)