The Christian population in India is quite small in comparison to other religions. That does not mean that Christmas should not be celebrated with pomp and grandeur in the country.

There are over 25 million Christians in India and they know how to light up the country beautifully.

Maharashtra and Goa have a lot of Roman Catholics in their states. Midnight masses hold importance in India a lot. The whole family will walk to the mass and it is followed by a massive feast of different delicacies, and the giving and receiving of presents. Churches are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and candles for the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass service. 

The decoration of Christmas trees also happens in India immensely. Quite often it is also seen that instead of the traditional Christmas tree, a banana or mango tree is also decorated depending on which place can be found to decorate in the state. In southern India, even clay lamps are lit as a sign of Jesus being the light of the world.

Celebrations in Goa are quite special and it is THE place to be if you want to celebrate a grand Christmas. They imbibe a lot of western customs owing to the Portugal colonization of the past. Carol singing is done a week before Christmas and tree decorations begin early too. Rich fruit cakes are found in all shops (throughout the country). A lot of local sweets are served as well, like the neurones, which are small pastries stuffed with dry fruit and coconut, and dodol, which is coconut and cashew filled toffee. People gift others these sweet and include them in their ‘consuada’.

On Christmas Eve, Christians in Goa also hang out giant paper lanterns high across so that they are visible from the roads. The Christmas turkey is the main meal eaten on Christmas Eve. At midnight, the Church bells ring to announce that Christmas Day has arrived.

The decorations are done all throughout the country. Daman and Diu too, have the Portugal flavour, and Mumbai shares similar decorating ideas. Cochin, in Kerala, has a 10-day festival known as the Cochin Carnival to lift everyone’s spirits and the hotels in Kerala too provide discounts to guests to join them in their festivities.

It is all about French art and Christmas cuisines in Bangalore, and also in Pondicherry. Kolkata too is brightly decorated, especially Park Street where pubs, bars, restaurants and streets are all filled with the merry mirth. It is perhaps Shimla and Manali that can give you a western Christmas feel with the pine trees covered in snow and adorned with lights and accessories. 

Now you know which cities to eye for Christmas this year!!