Like most people in the country, Christmas for me had always been a time to relax, to watch romantic holiday movies like Love Actually or The Holiday and enjoy the chilly weather. I liked to spend the day with friends, sipping hot chocolate and soaking in the festive spirit. But now, the meaning of the festival has changed for me. Since marrying a Mangalorean Catholic, I’ve been introduced to a new and exciting way of celebrating the season. Instead of the familiar routine, I now spend Christmas with my family in a vibrant, warm atmosphere. The celebration is lively, with lots of family time and music. The food is one of the most exciting parts of my new Christmas celebration; dishes like sannas, rich fruit cakes and kuswars (an assortment of traditional sweets and snacks) fill our home around this time. It’s a fun and refreshing change and I’ve come to love these new traditions. Christmas has become more meaningful to me now.
Interestingly, Christmas in India is celebrated in many unique ways, depending on the region and cultural influences. In Goa, for example, the celebrations are vibrant with beautiful church decorations, while families in Kerala enjoy a more intimate celebration with traditional music. In the Northeastern states like Nagaland, Christmas is marked with community gatherings.
So, join us as we find out how different Indian states celebrate Christmas this festive season.
Goa
When we think of Goa, many of us picture the beautiful beaches and lively parties. But Goa is also rich in culture and heritage, and it has a special way of celebrating Christmas. The streets of Goa come alive with parades and gorgeous lights around this time. The festive season brings people together in the spirit of joy and tradition and many return from foreign shores to spend precious time with family.
The Christmas celebrations in Goa are extravagant and a sight to behold. One of the highlights of Goa is the beautiful midnight mass that is held in the churches. These beautiful old churches are adorned with lights, stunning Christmas trees and nativity scene displays . After the mass, families and friends get together for feasting—enjoying delicious traditional dishes such as bebinca (a sweet coconut dessert) and rich fruit cakes. It’s a joyful atmosphere all over; singing carols, sharing food and enjoying the company of loved ones.
Mangalore
Mangalore is a beautiful beachside city in Karnataka that celebrates Christmas in all its grandeur. You can feel the festive spirit in the air, with the churches beautifully decorated and the streets lit up with colourful lights from weeks in advance.
The celebration here is a blend of religious traditions and community gatherings. One of the highlights here is the delicious food; local bakeries prepare some of the best Christmas cakes and kuswar, a variety of traditional sweets and snacks. In addition to this, families prepare mouthwatering dishes like neer dosa (thin rice pancakes), kori rotti (chicken curry with crispy rice crackers) and many types of seafood. In a nutshell, Christmas in Mangalore is a wonderful time for family gatherings, delicious food and sharing the joy of the season.
Pondicherry
Pondicherry, with its French influence, celebrates Christmas in a slightly different way. The streets are beautifully lit and churches hold midnight mass, accompanied by choir performances. The atmosphere is peaceful and spiritual, with people coming together to celebrate both the religious and festive aspects of Christmas.
The city basks in its special charm, with a mix of Indian and French colonial cultures, making it a wonderful place and time for celebrating. Interestingly, one of the most important delights of Christmas in Pondicherry is the bûche de Noël, a French Christmas cake that one can hog on apart from the traditional Christmas delicacies.
Shillong
Come December, and you start feeling the Christmas spirit in Shillong. The city is beautifully decorated with bright lights and nativity scenes displayed at homes and churches. It feels like something straight out of a Christmas movie, with the hills, the decorations and the joyful atmosphere all coming together perfectly.
Christmas in Shillong is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Churches host beautiful services with choirs. People gather with family and friends to share meals and exchange gifts. Traditional dishes like pork curry, rice cakes and local snacks are prepared for the holiday feast. The cold weather combined with the warmth of the community makes Christmas in Shillong a truly magical experience.
Kochi
In Kochi, Christmas celebrations are vibrant and full of merriment. People gather, at their local churches that are at their gorgeous best, for the midnight mass. Choirs sing traditional Christmas carols where everyone joins in and later, families celebrate with elaborate meals which include traditional Kerala dishes like appams (rice pancakes), steamed fish and fruit cakes. The combination of religious tradition and local cuisine add to the festive fervour, making Christmas in Kochi truly memorable.
Mumbai
Mumbai celebrates Christmas by blending age-old traditions with the city’s cosmopolitan lifestyle. The city’s churches are beautifully decorated and many people, irrespective of religion, attend the midnight mass. The streets are lit with festive lights and many areas like Bandra and Colaba have Christmas themes running in their shops and streets from weeks in advance.
The food in Mumbai during Christmas is a mix of flavors from different communities, with many restaurants and bakeries in the city offering special Christmas treats. Mumbai’s diverse culture makes the city a lively and exciting place to be in during Christmas.
Nagaland
In Nagaland, Christmas is celebrated with great joy, particularly by the Naga Christian community. The celebration is marked by community feasts, singing carols and giving thanks for the year gone by. Naga families also prepare local sweets and snacks to share with their neighbours and friends. The tribal traditions and Christian beliefs make Christmas in Nagaland truly special.
Christmas in India is celebrated in numerous ways. From Goa to Shillong, each state has its own special traditions that make this holiday season unique. The common thread in all these celebrations is that it brings people together to celebrate faith, family and the joy of the season. What’s not to love?
FAQs
How is Christmas celebrated in India?
Christmas in India is celebrated by attending church service, decorating homes, singing carols and hosting family gatherings.
Do all Indian states celebrate Christmas the same way?
Christmas celebrations vary from state to state. For example, Goa has lively street parades while places like Mangalore and Shillong focus on family gatherings and religious observances.
Are Christmas decorations common in Indian cities?
Most of the cities in India are beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, stars and nativity scenes.
Is Christmas a public holiday in India?
Christmas is a public holiday in India. Most schools, offices and businesses close for the day.