KATHMANDU: Christian community in Nepal today celebrated the birth of the Christ with much fanfare.

Following the declaration of the country as a secular one, the government has been recognising the day

as a public holiday. President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, issuing a message on the occasion, urged the countrymen

to uphold the spirit of brotherhood and work for peace and prosperity in the country.

He sent his greetings to all the Nepalis, celebrating the festival both at home and abroad. Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala, in his message, said all the religions should be given equal priority in order to foster religious tolerance and communal harmony in the nation. In a democratic country with individual freedom and human rights, religious freedom should also be guaranteed, he added.

The King of Rome Constantine started the celebration of the festival in 350 AD. Christmas is celebrated by Christian communities and Jesus lovers on December 25. In a country that was once the world’s only Hindu state, Christianity has been gaining a remarkable popularity. The Christian population in Nepal is estimated to cross 800,000. According to the 2001 census, the country is home to 101,976 Christians, making up 0.45 per cent of the total population.