KATHMANDU: Nepal is celebrating Christmas, the greatest festival of Christians, with much fanfare, throughout the country today.

It is celebrated to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, on December 25.

The festival has been recognised as a national festival since 2007, and even non-Christians celebrate it with a lot of zeal.

Colourfully decorated Christmas trees and well-decorated shops and malls are seen in Thamel, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Pokhara among other places, on the occasion.

The government has announced a national holiday to celebrate the festival today.

On the occasion, Christians visit churches and exchange gifts with family and friends. The King of Rome Constantine started the celebration of the festival in 350 AD.

Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal have extended their heartfelt Christmas greetings to all Nepali Christians living at home and abroad, wishing them for peace, happiness, prosperity, good health, unity, brotherhood and progress.

“May this festival strengthen the feelings of love and unity among Nepali people and inspire all to implement the Constitution of Nepal for peaceful and prosperous Nepal,” President Bhandari said in a message.