Christmas

Ever since Europeans discovered the golden land of India, they proceeded to spread their religious doctrines and Jesus's love in the natives of the country. Many sects converted to Christianity and today, there is a large Christian community thriving in India that has adopted the Christians festivals as a part of Indian culture as well. However, many of the rituals of these Christian festivals have been modified to suit the climatic conditions of the land. Christmas is the biggest and most-hyped festival of Indian Christians. Most of them decorate mango or banana trees instead of traditional pine trees at Christmas time. The ancient local Indian customs have heavily influenced the Christmas traditions and many Indian Christians decorate their houses with mango leaves on the occasion.

Candles are often replaces with small oil-burning lamps made of clay known as 'diyas' that are placed on the tops of walls that give an ethereal feel and look quite beautiful. Churches often have an Evening Service on Christmas and are fabulously decorated with poinsettias and candles. X-mas trees can be seen in the urban trees adorned with familiar stars and tinsels, toys and colorful streamers. Nativity plays in schools and churches on Christmas mornings showcase the Jesus's birth and the scenes from Jesus's lives that usually end with singing hymns and carols and the visit of Santa to distribute toffees to kids. In the metros, one can see Santa entertaining the children at departmental stores with a familiar plump belly, a big smile and small toys as gifts. Caroling processions on streets and thoroughfares can also be seen.