Many people around the globe look forward to Christmas, the most long-awaited season. People still look forward to the next Christmas celebration from the early months of the year. Believe it or not, it is also true. While Christmas is a significant celebration in most parts of the world, the same can not be said regarding how we celebrate Christmas in India, also known as Bada din, meaning big day.
India is a country rich in religion, with Hindus being the leading population. More than three-quarters of the Indian population is Hindu, followed by Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and others. Religion in India has remained stable for a long time, and conversion is rare. The population of people celebrating Christmas is minimal, thus making Christmas a minor celebration covered by other major celebrations in India, such as Holi and Diwali.
Many Christians and non-Christians celebrate Christmas in India, even though it is a minor celebration. Most people worldwide are stereotypical about Christmas celebrations in India or have no clue how they are done. Christmas is celebrated in both secular and religious manners. Here are a few ways and traditions to celebrate Christmas in India.
1. How are Christmas celebrations in India?
The Christmas celebration in India is not so different from how different communities celebrate it.
1.1. Christmas Decorations
What is Christmas without Christmas decorations? By the second week of December, Most decorations are placed in chapels, malls, and shops. India is a festive country, which makes it easy to afford different Christmas decorations, such as Christmas lights, candles, flowers, candle sticks, and stockings.
Most decorations are readily available in the country except for the Christmas tree. Since the natural Christmas pine tree is not readily available in most parts of India, the option is always to purchase an artificial Christmas tree, which serves the purpose very well and can be used for more than one Christmas celebration.
1.2. Nativity Scenes
The importance of a nativity scene is not left behind in the Indian Christmas celebration. The nativity scene is a decipit of what happened on the day that Jesus Christ was born. There are three wise men: the sherds, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Joseph, Mary’s husband, and everyone who came to worship the king on Christmas Day. This scene shows what Christmas is about and the circumstances of Jesus’ Birth. Many people in India are unaware of Christmas, so the simple scene and the acting in churches give a glimpse of Christmas.
1.3. Christmas Carols
Like many other Christians worldwide, most Christians in India love and embrace carol singing. In places with most Christians, such as the northeastern part of India, Christians begin singing carols in the first week of December to bring up the Christmas spirit among people. Carol singers go from house to house or door to door around the neighbourhood with their fellow Christians and spend time singing classical carol songs such as Silent Night, Jingle Bells, First Noel, and other local Christmas carols.
1.4. Attending Christmas masses
The evening before Christmas, churches in India organize festive Christmas masses like many other parts of the world. The essence of the mass is to bring Christians into the reflection of what Christ did and why his coming is so essential to the Christian society, and most masses are associated with some acts that church members do. There is the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day mass, which Christians and non-Christians often crowd. The church service is usually accompanied by meals shared by the whole church community and all other local members who are not part of the church community.
1.5. Enjoying Traditional Family Meals
Christmas in India is also celebrated with traditional meals. Western Christmas traditional meals include roasted turkey, glazed ham, and gingerbread house. All these meals are not typical in India, but some are enjoyed. Some of the traditional Christmas meals in India include Christmas kheer, which is sweet, like rice pudding with raisins and different nuts.
Apart from the kheer, another traditional family meal that is enjoyed by families at Christmas is the Indian biriyani.
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2. Places to enjoy Christmas Celebrations in India
Christmas celebrations in India vary from place to place depending on different factors such as culture and religion. In India, there are places where one can enjoy the Christmas experience, especially the places that have embraced Western culture. A few of those places include the following.
2.1. Goa
Located along the coast with a lot of beaches, Goa itself is known for drawing a lot of tourists from all around the world. The history of GGoa, Portuguese settlements, and ancient churches contribute to many Christians. Many activities are done in Goa; there is a lot of carol singing done by children and a lot of decoration in and outside their local churches such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Mary Immaculate Conception Church, holy place old Goa church, and many other. Locals and tourists in Goa line up to attend masses, sing Christmas carols, share meals, and many other Christmas night activities.
Christmas is lively for both secular and religious celebrations, and the festival often lasts all night, attracting so much attention.
2.2. Shillong
The northeastern part of India has a substantial number of Christian communities. From streets to homes, Christmas decorations are hung up everywhere. 80% of the population here is Christian, so you can feel the spirit everywhere. Christmas here is a celebration with so much passion and joy, and the whole Alpine region looks like the bride around this time of the year. Christmas celebrations in Shillong include night bazaars where one can vote for decorations and food stalls.
Christmas in Shillong is one of the best in India. Hymns, soulful gospel music, and nature accompany it.
2.3. Kerala
For a completely satisfying Christmas experience, one should make a trip to Kerala. Kerala has a substantial Christian population, so Christmas is a big deal. Carol’s singing is just on a different level, giving most visitors a nostalgic feeling and making them feel at home. The Christmas spirit starts early in the last weeks of November, and people prepare throughout for the big day, that is, Christmas. Every house and office always hangs a Christmas star on their door as a Christmas decoration.
In Kerala, Christians fast from the first to the fourth of December. Churches remain open throughout that time, allowing people to reflect on their reasons for Christmas. While at it, one can enjoy beaches and explore Kerala’s rich culture. Kerala is your palace if you want a more fulfilled religious Christmas experience.
2.4. Pondicherri
Petite France is the name given to this beautiful Union territory on the coast of Tamil Nadu. There are many lovely architectural buildings. The French background allows typical Christmas celebrations that are known worldwide, such as the gifting tradition and cookie baking.
Churches in Pondicherry, such as the sacred heart of Jesus, are stunningly decorated, making Christmas merrier. It indeed is the perfect place in India to have a great Christmas. In addition to all the beautiful activities that are done during Christmas, there are beaches where one can get to enjoy with family and friends, just like how Christmas is supposed to be
2.5. Mumbai.
Another great place to celChristmasristmas is Mumbai. Mumbai has a large population from different places in India and worldwide. Mumbai is a metro city that hosts Christians who come to like Goa and northeastern others. Other Christmases in Mumbai are celebrated at church and in party halls throughout the night. Given that it is a multicultural city, Western traditions are embraced, such as eating roasted turkey, Christmas trees, Santa, also known as Christmas baba in Hindi, baba Christmas iUrdudu. For a wild Christmas celebration, go to the city that never sleeps, and that is none other than.
2.6. Manali
Snow makes Christmas complete. Growing up, many movies showed that it always snowed on Christmas. Manali is your destination if you are up to this unique experience of a snowy Christmas. Many are famous for the Christmas and New Year celebration season, so it is always packed around this time of the year, and prices spike.
Booking hotels, flights, and trains early will lessen the financial burden and allow you to find a comfortable place for your special Christmas celebration. In Manali, you might have a chance to see many Christmas pine trees and enjoy enormous winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding, building snowmen, playing with snowballs, and enjoying other integrated Himachal traditions such as food and Himachal Kullu folk music.
2.7. Delhi
Cities in India never fail to give people a beautiful Christmas season experience. Most of the Delhihi population is Hindu and Islamic, but people celebrate Christmas differently. There are many extravagant parties around this time; Christmas decorations, such as Christmas trees, Santas, candy sticks, candles, lights, and more, cover malls and streets. The best part is that malls in Delhi have a lot of Christmas offerings, from fashion and beauty stores to restaurants that offer Christmas menus. You cannot mention a great place to celebrate Christmas without mentioning the capital, Delhi.
2.8. Chennai
The southern part of India offers an actual Christmas spirit experience. Chennai is the capital city of Tamil Nadu, which has a rich Christian history and many churches that attract visitors, such as the Vellankani church. Histo y records one of the charity disciples being killed here. The Christmas season attracts more than six thousand visitors in Tamil.in addition to Christian history and many churches, most restaurants in Chennai offeChristmasas offer buffet specials, bringing families and friends together.
2.9. Banglore
The central part of the town, Bangalore, has many beautiful churches with a history with the French or British, such as St. Patrick’s Church and All Saints Church in Hosur. Banglore is also known for its famous culinary delights, and at Christmas time, everything gets better. Enjoy Christmas meals such as roasted turkey, pies, gingerbreads, and many more while there.
2.10. Kolkata
Last, Kolkata is the place to celebrate Christmas in India. Even though few Christians are in Kolkata, Christmas celebrations are still here. In Kolkata, Christmas means cakes and cookies, which flooded most bakeries. Kolkata is a city of joy around Christmas, many activities are done such as carol singing, live performances, sound shows, and massive discounts on different purchases or activities.
Conclusive thoughts on Christmas in India.
India is truly a home to festivity. While most of the population might not understand the whole essence of the Christmas celebration, it is still a recognized festival in India. If you are shocked that India celebrates Christmas, it is a sign that you should join Indians in a unique Christmas celebration. If you are already a lover of Indian Christmas celebrations, you know better that it is a must-try experience for someone who has never had a different kind of Christmas.
People in different places celebrate Christmas in many ways. Many families and communities share the ways outlined above. Some families have their way of spending Christmas, as most Christmases are close to the heart. If there are any better ways to celebrate Christmas in India, feel free to share some of your favourite things to do and traditions and bring more people together for this beautiful time of the year.
Last Updated on by Rajeshwari_Das
