Confused about celebrations of Christmas in India? Let’s dispel some myths, shall we?
India is a land of different cultures and the people of India celebrate all the festivals with great devotion, pomp and show.
The major festivals include Diwali, Eid, Holi, Christmas and many more. Christians of a various sects from different parts of India celebrate Christmas in various ways.
However, the main symbolization and importance of certain days and rituals is common for all Christians. People of all religions take part in Christmas Celebrations in India. Even in locations the place there is no Christian population the town has received some attachment or magnitude so they make a big celebration with sales, meals and goodies.
India gets transformed into an absolute Christmas wonderland with twinkling lightning, tradition tree décor, and Christmas Carols playing non-stop. Here we provide you a festive sneak peek to the Indian Christmas Celebration.
Preparations of Christmas in India
There are many Christian households who are committed Christians and have a good time by way of going to Church on the Day of Christmas. Households start preparations for Christmas from 1 – 2 months in advance.
The homes are utterly cleaned and restore work is carried out if it is required. Otherwise, the things are re-arranged to make space for guests and to give a new look to the house.
Some people get their garments stitched as there will be demand later. Others buy new garments for Christmas from large shops even in the last-minute shopping.
The ladies in the residence put together Christmas goodies, rose cookies, and one-of-a-kind cake ingredients.
Churches and teams organize carol singing nights where they travel to people’s houses and sings songs of birth of Jesus. Some spread the message of peace during this entire Christmas season.
Christmas Food in India
Christmas cooking in India, mainly the preliminary preparations begin at least a week earlier. Sweets, hold a great significance in this festival.
In fact, making sweets is a household affair in India. Women of the household and even prolonged household get collectively and make batches of special confectionaries.
Cultural influences can be viewed in Indian Christmas sweets as well. Fruitcakes in Indian are influenced by way of British plum puddings and are referred to as plum cakes here, whilst rose cookies are a end result of Dutch occupation.
Kuswar, originating from Goa, is the normal Indian Christmas sweets. Besides, a lot of nearby Christmas cuisine are loved all through Christmas time such as dodol and newrio, but not as much as the traditional rich fruitcake. Kidiyo, which interprets into worms, are also common in India in the course of Christmas. They are deep fried dough balls, dusted in icing sugar. Savory banana chips, chaklis, and cashew macaroons are additionally a part of the Christmas meal.
No wonder, Christmas is a melting pot of all cultures and regions.
In India, the main Christmas meal is eaten on Christmas Eve itself. Chicken curry and pork are staples of Indian Christmas. They are made in advance and left to mature. Steam rice cakes are also essential to Indian Christmas dinners. These cakes are left to ferment overnight so that they are perfect to soak up the curries. The western influence can be seen on the Christmas table also, especially in Goa, where roast chicken or turkey is for the main course.
It’s a bit different in Delhi though. Gujiya, a sweet dish usually prepared in Holi, is made for Christmas as well. Even traditional Mughlai food Yakhni Pulao and Zarda are made for Christmas. This explains the influence of Indo-Gangetic culture in North India.
Traditional Christmas dishes in North East India consist of doh jem, which is a meat preparation, jadoh, a rice and meat dish, and putharo, steamed rice cakes. Cakes are an absolute staple on their Christmas table.
Some people even flock to the best confectionaries of their town to get Christmas cakes, cookies, and other goodies. Wenger’s in Delhi and Nahoum’s in Kolkata are famous spots for getting Christmas desserts.
In fact, Christmas shopping feels incomplete without getting rich plum or fruit cake from these iconic bakeries, whether you’re baking at home or not. Some people even buy homemade Christmas cakes and wine sold by Christian families residing in Bow Barracks.
Just like different parts of the world, Santa Claus can deliver to children. The chariot of Santa Claus stuffed with presents and the figurine of Santa himself are positioned in numerous shops and parks.
Happiness and Joy of Christmas in India
The streets and shopping malls are beautifully decorated with Christmas trees, mild bulbs, LED lights, and coloured paper.
The decorations are done one month before than the Christmas celebrations begin. The stores additionally provide discounts so people attracted and purchase the Christmas gifts, decorations, etc. Offices are closed and it is a countrywide holiday.
Parties are hosted for a gala time and great time of celebration. The spiritual people and those who desire to do charity even donate stuff like new clothes or blankets to the homeless and orphans. Others go for carol singing nearly a month earlier.
They gather at other Christian people’s homes and sing Christmas songs of Joy. So, those people offer a few goodies they have prepared for them. It is time to spend the time for joy and happiness of Christmas.
Christmas Customs & Traditions Across India
In rural areas across other states and smaller villages, people gather at each other’s houses 1 – 2 weeks before Christmas. They sing songs about Jesus’ birth and spread the love of God and the gospel of salvation. In other cities in India, especially the southern cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, etc.
Many people follow common or similar Christmas traditions.
There are illuminated star-shaped paper lanterns that people put out and at night time that looks like there are stars in the street. Some people have natural Christmas trees inside their gardens. Some people get a branch of natural Christmas tree and others purchase artificial trees from shops which is more common.
They decorate the tree with tiny figurines, glowing balls, shimmering stars and Santa sticks, and his face. Some put artificial snow and others put cotton to give it a ‘snowy’ look. At midnight mass people hold candles as part of the service.
Similar traditions take place in various states across India. A special Christmas cake and dinner with various delicacies or non-vegetarian as the main course is prepared. People even visit neighbours, friends and relatives to wish them, share love and joy. The following day after Christmas is called Boxing Day where people gift those who have served them – milkman, domestic help, etc. With the Christmas goodies.
Sometimes, the Christmas munchies and decorations remain for over 2 weeks post the Christmas season. Most of these traditions are adapted from the west and are common Christmas traditions for the local Christians.
Churches and some non-church groups also go carols singing to visit Christian houses and sing carols. Many churches and Christian organizations hold pre-Christmas programmes where there are skits on the message of Christmas, stage shows, singing competitions, etc. The most common sight is Santa mingling with kids and handing out sweets, chocolates or gifts.
