Christmas in India isn’t as widely celebrated as other festivals. But among the Christian families, it’s celebrated with huge pomp and fervor. People become a part of the joyful event, soaking in the colorful Christmas traditions.
In this article, I’m writing about Christmas celebrations in different parts of India. So you will know how people celebrate Christmas in different parts of India.
Let’s dive in.
Where Is Christmas Celebrated in India?
Christmas is celebrated all across the country. The excitement can be seen everywhere from northwest India to the northeast and the states in southern India.
But the most charming celebrations are in the towns with Christian influence. Goa, Mumbai and Pondicherry have a large population of Roman Catholics. Towns and villages of Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram also have Christian communities. And you can feel the zeal of celebrations in those places.
Metropolitan cities like Bangalore and Chennai also have special events during the Christmas season. In many places, Santa Claus wishes Merry Christmas and distributes chocolates and Christmas goodies to kids. Also, shopping malls and local stores run special discount offers.
The festivities start before Christmas time and continue until New Year.
How Does Everyone Exchange Christmas Wishes?
Merry Christmas or Happy Christmas is the most common Christmas wish here. But regional variations exist as people speak different languages across the country. For example, in different regions across north India, people use Shubh Krismas (Hindi), Krismas Mubarak (Urdu), or Krismasasya Shubhkamna (Sanskrit) to greet each other.
Other variations in Christmas wishes are:
- Anandi Natal (Gujarati)
- Karismasa Mubaraka (Punjabi)
- Christmas Jun Wadhayun (Sindhi)
- Shubho Barodin (Bengali)
- Krismas Chibai (Mizo)
- Shubh Natal (Marathi)
- Khushal Borit Natala (Konkani)
- Kiristumas Vazttukkal (Tamil)
- Krismas Habbada Shubhashayagalu (Kannada)
- Christmas Subhakankshalu (Telugu)
- Santosakaramaaya Krismas (Malayalam)
Even Santa Claus has got a few different names like:
- Christmas Baba (in Hindi-speaking regions)
- Baba Christmas (in Urdu-speaking regions)
- Christmas Thatha (in Tamilnadu)
- Natal Bua (Christmas Elder Man, in Maharashtra)
- Christmas Papa (in Kerala)
How Do People Celebrate Christmas in India?
Christmas Day is a gazetted holiday in India.
But the preparations for Christmas eve begin with the Advent Sunday, which falls around November 30. People light candles in churches, visit neighbors, and get Christmas decorations for their homes.
Instead of natural Christmas trees, many families put up a banana or mango tree. Furthermore, they decorate it with ribbons, stars, Christmas balls, and other handmade ornaments. They also imitate snow-covered evergreens by draping cotton wool and sprinkling powder.
People decorate homes and churches with multicolored twinkling fairy lights, aromatic candles, and poinsettia flowers. These poinsettia flowers are considered sacred and symbolize joy, love, and purity. Then, leaf torans made of banana and mango leaves are tied around, along with paper streamers and light bulbs.
People also decorate streets and shopping malls.
Wherever you go, people Christmas Day with the spirit of love and togetherness. People from different states also add a distinct flavor to the magnificent Christmas celebration.
1- Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a peaceful town having a French influence. It has a large Roman Catholic Christian population, and people celebrate Christmas all over the town. The entire town lights up with bright decorations and a festive atmosphere.
As the day of celebrating Christmas nears, people go around singing carols and telling Christmas story. Also, they attend the Midnight Mass service in The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and other churches.
Clean and breathtaking beaches and classic French cuisine further add enthusiasm to the celebrations. You can hear Church bells ring all through the night.
2- Mumbai
Mumbai, the energetic city in southwest India, has many foreigners and Roman Catholics living in the city. It also has a British colonial past, which results in a happening festive celebration as per the western Christmas traditions.
People decorate Mount Mary Church and other churches with small electric lamps and Christmas tree. Shops offer festive discounts and are full of Christmas gifts, decorative accessories, and Santa costumes. Everyone carries the festive spirit all day long.
The buzzing nightlife transforms Mumbai into a Christmas wonderland.
3- Goa
Goa Christmas celebrations are full of colors and fun because of the influence of Portuguese rule. People follow many international customs and traditions. You’ll find people singing Christmas songs, decorating Christmas trees, and baking cakes.
The Roman Catholic population in Goa attends Midnight Mass (locally called Missa de Galo). Nativity scenes, with Christmas cribs, are on display in many places. And at the midnight of Christmas eve, people place a baby Jesus statue in the manger to signify the birth of Christ.
Bright and beautiful firecrackers lit the night sky. Beach parties are also common. The Sunburn Festival follows soon after.
4- Kerala
Kerala, the state in the west coast of south India, has some of the oldest Christian population in India. People celebrate Christmas in the traditional way here.
Children go around in the neighborhood, carrying candles, with their Carol singing groups. Many churches set up elaborate Nativity scene and remain open until early morning. They are decorated simply and illuminated with oil lamps.
Traditional Catholics fast from December 1st until Christmas Eve. Later, everyone gets together for a traditional Christmas dinner and attends the Midnight Mass service with friends and family. And people celebrate the Cochin Carnival later to welcome the New Year.
5- Bangalore
Bangalore, the Silicon Valley of India, also celebrates Christmas with great pomp and grandeur. People decorate houses and shops with glittering lights. People decorate trees with lights, colorful balls, and ribbons. Also, gifts are put there for small children.
Festive programs, events, and competitions are held in many places. Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) distributes chocolates and cookies.
Shops and restaurants put up stunning light shows. And people spend the day having fun and feasting with friends and family members.
What do People Eat for Christmas in India?
In India, people celebrate Christmas by feasting on cakes, cookies, and puddings.
Most traditional sweet dishes originated in Goa and have Portuguese roots. Among the exotic ones are kidyo (a coconut and cardamom flavored confection, dusted in icing sugar) and neuero (sweet dumplings stuffed with palm sugar, sweet grated coconut, and sesame seeds). Folks also consume Perada (a guava cheese confectionary), macaroons, and rose cookies.
British plum fruit cake is another staple among the Christmas sweet dishes. People also prepare savory banana chips and crispy chaklis (round-shaped deep-fried lentil savory) to distribute to neighbors, friends, and family.
For the Christmas Eve dinner, families have roast turkey, chicken curries, and steamed rice cakes among other foodstuffs.
Wrapping Up
Christmas is a fun family festival and a melting pot of different cultures. From the tribal Christians in northeast and northwest India to the city dwellers, everyone has their own form of celebrations. But they all have something in common. Midnight Mass, Christmas crib, and our jolly Santa are a part of the celebrations everywhere.
