Christmas celebrations in India Vs other Nations!

Being home to a considerable population of Christians, India has its own unique tradition of celebrating Christmas, just like any other nation in the world. These rituals and traditions vary a lot when compared to the rest of the world and is majorly influenced by the geographical differences and rituals from co-existing religions.

Lights and decorations

Like the rest of the world, Christmas in India is a bright occasion filled with coloured lights and glowing candles but the one thing that’s different is the use of clay lamps that are lighted to decorate houses and shops. This is a tradition brought in from the Hindu festival of Diwali. Paper stars and glittery wall hangings are the prominent decorative items one could spot in abundant during Christmas.

The Christmas tree

Bring a tropical country where fir doesn’t grow, Indians make do with artificial trees or mostly by decorating banana or mango trees with the traditional decorative materials. Since snow is an almost non-existent phenomenon in India, fluffy white cotton is used to decorate artificial Christmas trees. These trees also have handmade stars and paper hangings along with brightly coloured fairies and illuminated glass balls.

The Christmas Celebration food

Being such a multicultural country, the Christmas feast is a glorious medley of traditional recipes that have origins from all over India. The Christmas cuisine also has its origins from the English, Portuguese and Dutch communities that once ruled the nation. Traditional Christmas sweets called ‘kuswar’, dense fruitcakes that are actually a version of the British plum cake, sweet dumplings called ‘newrio’ and rose cookies are some of the staple Christmas delicacies cooked during Christmas. The cooking of these sweets is a family affair where the women of the family get together and prepare the dishes for two weeks prior to the festival. Pork and spicy chicken curry is a staple during Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas gifts

The tradition of Santa Claus leaving gifts for kids in stockings hung up just for them is one that is not practised in India. All gifts that are shared are given during get-togethers and the sharing of traditional Christmas sweets and cakes with the entire community irrespective of one’s religion is a greater tradition than Christmas gifts. Dances are a common event during Christmas night and the entire community takes part in it.

The Christmas crib

What is called the nativity scene is called the Christmas crib in India. Everything else about it is pretty much the same. Elaborately decorated models of the scene of Jesus Christ’s birth are set up in homes and churches and Christmas carols are sung around it.

The Christmas tradition in India varies from the rest of the world in several ways and that makes it all the more special and a one-of-a-kind experience.

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