Christmas in India

There are many British traditions in India. Christmas is a state holiday in India, although only 2.3% of the population are Christian. Christmas is also known as bada din (the big day).

The markets are very colourful, as they are decorated with Christmas trees and decorations such as images of Santa, balloons, stars and festoons. Gift sellers release a thorough marketing campaign via television, newspapers, and radio.

A lot of parties and dance activities occur across the holidays, most Indians take part but mostly all urban Indians participate wholeheartedly. Smaller clubs and restaurants, luxury hotels, groups of friends, schools, colleges and virtually all social organizations have parties, eat, drink, dance and celebrate. Gifts are exchanged; Santa Claus brings gifts to a lot of good Indian children, just like he does around the world. There isn't any lack of spirit during this period.

Every region has a noticeably different means of honoring Christmas. In far North Eastern Mizoram, Christmas is often a local community occasion, a period for community feasting, called Lengkhawn Zai, (with roots in pre Christian era). Christmas carols are soft songs symbolizing religion and spirituality. Goa is a favourite location for Christmas celebrations.

Banana and Mango trees are used close to Christmas time. Lots of people use mango leaves to beautifully decorate their homes. Candles decorate most churches through the entire Christmas services. An Indian Christmas is abundant with the presence of point sepia leaves rather than holly because holly is fairly rare here.

Despite the fact that the actual Christmas lunch menu is roast duck, occasionally pork and mince pies, there's a occurrence of appams and stew too (this is pancakes involving a batter of rice flour and coconut milk, to be savoured along with mutton stew . The spirit of Christmas exists like nowhere else. In other south Indian states, there is murukku (a fried pretzel made from rice flour and lentil), and athirasam gracing the table alongside the Christmas pudding. Sweets like doughnuts rose cookies and diamond cuts are often homemade just like cookies in the western countries.

The December 25th celebrations are filled with devout believers attending the midnight or morning Mass, children wearing multi-coloured clothing coordinating with the tropical plants and Drums and hymns. Christmas Carols are sung in Christian homes days in advance, a significant star is hung up from the front of the house. Gifts are exchanged, tips are offered around, and lots of Hindu people ultimately end up spending more on Christmas gifts to one another as compared to a Hindu festival.
This is the spirit of Christmas in India.