AGARTALA, December 19 (TIWN): Barely 5 days left for the Christians grand festival “Merry Christmas” and the Preparations for the upcomingChristmas and New Year celebrations have peaked in Tripura with the shops at the heart of the capital city Agartala and across decorated with all the Christmas decorative items.

A number of shopkeepers have put up their roadside outlets with a variety of stars, streamers and Christmas tree decorations. The sales, according to many of them, will pick up during the weekend.

The Christmas trees especially are already put on the market of the capital city Agartala, with prices ranging from Rs.2000 to Rs. 7000. Several flower nurseries are decorated with the Christmas trees ahead of the festival, and are selling the trees – the big and the small one on very high prices. The small Christmas tress costs Rs. 2000 whereas the big one costs Rs. 6000 to Rs. 7000.

New collections of lights in the shape of leaves, stars and bells have come at different shops of Agartala, as the latest attractions this Christmas. Christmas trees are priced varying with size.

Colorful streamers, glittering stars, decorative lights and trees are all harbingers of Christmas. Crib sets, Santa Claus wall hangers and bells have started to add colour to several roadsides in the coastal town as shopkeepers have geared up with their new collections of decorations at burning prices for the festive season.

Despite the chilly weather, Tripura like previous years is getting all set to celebrate Christmas with fervor and pomp. The festive mood set in on the second week of December itself with Christmas trees and Santa Claus in his bright red attire and flowing beard hanging in front of most shops, especially confectionaries and gift shops.

Though Christianity as a religious faith is limited mostly to tribal communities here, the non-Christian Bengalis also celebrate the birth of Christ with equal enthusiasm and joy. On Christmas Eve, Christians and non-Christians were seen singing Christmas carols on the city streets.