Christmas Celebration in India
India is known for its unity and diversity, with diversity in Indian culture one can witness the joy and enthusiasm of festival celebration throughout the country. India is a land of festival this can be seen in celebration of festivals that goes throughout the year. In India festival of every ethnic ground gets its due respect. It’s place of celebration where everyone has right of freedom to celebrate his or her festival with pomp, gaiety and devotion.
Christmas, Xmas or Christmas Day is celebrated every year on 25th December and the festivities last for three to four days. Christmas Day observed as national holiday in India.
Christianity in India is deep rooted because of colonial governance over this landmass for centuries. This religion entirely amalgamated with Indian cultural and ethnicity. Throughout the country Christmas is celebrated with influence of local beliefs, customs and practices. The way Christmas is celebrated in the North East is completely different from the way it is celebrated in the South West.
In northwest India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil tribe go out night after night for a week during Christmas to sing special traditional carols and tell the story of Christmas to everybody While in South India, Christians light clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses, the same way as Hindus decorate their homes during the Diwali Festival.
Christians in the plains decorate their homes and surroundings with mango or banana trees at Christmas time. Sometimes they also decorate their houses with mango leaves. In several states of India a popular custom is to decorate banana or mango tree instead of traditional pine tree.
In Christian households, preparations for Christmas begin at least a month before. People get their homes whitewashed so to give it a fresh new look. Ladies start preparations for the traditional Christmas cake, which is most awaited not just by the entire family but also by the neighbors. Daylong shopping activity takes place as everyone buys new clothes, sweets, gifts and decoration stuffs for the festival. Christmas is also the time for family reunions, people living in different cities for job or higher studies get back to their homes to celebrate Christmas with their near and dear ones.
Breathtaking celebration of Christmas can be seen in the vivacious state of Goa. Goa, a former colony of Portugal, is known for its unique culture, which is perfect blend of Portuguese and Indian style. Christmas is a festival, which is observed with a great zeal in Goa and followed by celebration of 3 days including late night parties, preceding Lent carnival and stage performances. The festival of Goa is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. This weeklong Christmas celebration attracts both national and international tourists throughout the world. This makes Goa a hottest tourist destination for celebrating Christmas.
The mythological figure associated with the celebrations of Christmas festival of Santa Claus also holds prominent place during its celebration in India. With affection Indian call Santa Claus as Santa and children encircle this mythological figure in a hope to get gifts as reward of being a good child throughout the year.
On Christmas Day churches are attended in masses and people exchange their wishes with each other. Houses are decorated with fancy bulbs, scenery, and candles. Christmas tree an iconic representation of Christmas festival can be seen in shops, houses, and in churches.
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