AGARTALA, December 15 (TIWN): Pre­-Christmas celebrations have begun across Tripura, with places getting decorated for the revelry, and churches practicing and organizing regular midnightmasses. There is a hustle and a bustle in markets, people are busy shopping with vigour for Christmas.

Markets in Agartala are witnessing a heavy rush with hundreds of people flooding the shops decked up with the decorative items ahead of Christmas. People are making a beeline for shops to buy attractive Christmas trees, cakes, gifts and decorative bells, despite skyrocketing prices.

"We are in the preparation of the Christmas and we are visiting this stall to buy some items for our Christmas tree and as the rates of the petrol, gas, everything has gone up, so the rates of these items are also reaching the sky. But the items are really good," said Priya, a local resident of Mariam Nagar.

An exuberant wave of festive cheers has also gripped the entire India's northeastern state of Tripura as people prepared for the festival with gusto and high spirits. Bakers in Agartala city geared up to create a mammoth Christmas cake as markets witness a heavy rush with people purchasing exclusive decorative items ahead of the festival. Christmas is a very special occasion and people prepare special dishes for the day. Indian curries and other regional delicacies make here Christmas special.

City churches are also gearing up as the favorite season, Christmas is round the corner. It is not too far and parishioners have already begun decking up the church premises. To add to the festive fervor and excitement, churches around the city have organised various competitions. From making cribs to decorative stars, it is a gala time as they welcome this season.