How Christmas Is Celebrated in India
A robust Hindu and growing Muslim society, the celebration of Christmas is much evident here. The celebration for most non-Christians doesn't go beyond colorful trees, Santa Claus, and snow, but in recent years much has changed. The jolly festival is a month-long season of lights of colors, of giving and receiving, of cakes and carols and angels and the beloved Santa.
Local stores are draped in multicolored and twinkling fairy lights, paper streamers and flowers. Churches are decorated using stunning light shows and look spectacular in the nights. Snow is virtually non-existent ( except in hilly regions) but that doesn't stop children from draping cotton wool all over their trees to imitate the snow-covered evergreen. On Christmas Eve, people attend midnight mass and listen to the gospel in church.
From Kerala to Assam, from the northeast to Mumbai, the whole country gets together in festive spirit to celebrate in their way. In the South, similar to Diwali, clay lamps are lighted on the rooftop of houses by Christmas. A banana tree or even a mango tree is often used in place of pine trees for Christmas tree.
In Northwest India, Christians of the Bhil tribe, sing their equivalent of carols night after night. Mumbai, which has one of the largest Roman Catholic communities, in India, there is a tradition to depict nativity scenes and decorate houses with big shiny stars.
Some of the images of Christmas celebrations in India.
A robust Hindu and growing Muslim society, the celebration of Christmas is much evident here. The celebration for most non-Christians doesn't go beyond colorful trees, Santa Claus, and snow, but in recent years much has changed. The jolly festival is a month-long season of lights of colors, of giving and receiving, of cakes and carols and angels and the beloved Santa.
Local stores are draped in multicolored and twinkling fairy lights, paper streamers and flowers. Churches are decorated using stunning light shows and look spectacular in the nights. Snow is virtually non-existent ( except in hilly regions) but that doesn't stop children from draping cotton wool all over their trees to imitate the snow-covered evergreen. On Christmas Eve, people attend midnight mass and listen to the gospel in church.
From Kerala to Assam, from the northeast to Mumbai, the whole country gets together in festive spirit to celebrate in their way. In the South, similar to Diwali, clay lamps are lighted on the rooftop of houses by Christmas. A banana tree or even a mango tree is often used in place of pine trees for Christmas tree.
In Northwest India, Christians of the Bhil tribe, sing their equivalent of carols night after night. Mumbai, which has one of the largest Roman Catholic communities, in India, there is a tradition to depict nativity scenes and decorate houses with big shiny stars.
Some of the images of Christmas celebrations in India.