The government has declared a public holiday on Sunday following pressure from the Christian community to mark their biggest festival as an event of national celebrations. 

A Cabinet meeting on Saturday took the decision, according Ramji Dahal, press advisor to Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi. 

The erstwhile KP Oli-led government had decided to remove Christmas from the calendar of national celebrations, drawing strong reaction from the Christian minority who make around 1.42 percent of the country’s population. 

Besides Christians, many Nepalis, especially young people in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara, celebrate Christmas irrespective of their religious background.

People are seen taking selfies in front of the church decorated for the festival.

A father leads a religious service. 

Revellers enjoy artificial snowfall at City Center Mall in the Capital. POST PHOTOS: SANJOG MANANDHAR, KESHAV THAPA