East Indian Christmas traditions
The East Indian community, often considered Mumbai’s original inhabitants, traces its roots to the Portuguese influence in the 16th Century. When the British East India Company arrived, the local Catholic population — mainly agrarian landowners — adopted the name East Indians to distinguish themselves.
Christmas for the community is a time to showcase their rich culinary heritage. But despite their name, East Indians are deeply rooted in Maharashtra, and their cuisine is heavily influenced by Marathi cooking traditions.
Kolkata’s Christmas celebrations
Kolkata, West Bengal, India - 25.12.2018 : Young ladies with red santa claus hats enjoying themselves at illuminated and decorated park street with lights with year end festive mood. | Photo Credit: RNMitra
Even as Kolkata has progressed from Burrah Din (or Boro Din) to what is now known as Christmas Pujas, the festive spirit is still alive in the cultural zeitgeist of the city folk
Christmas used to be celebrated with the same enthusiasm as Durga Puja, it still is celebrated as Christmas Puja but in a different way. The festive season takes you back to the yesteryear bakeries of Kolkata, like Firpo’s and Nahoum and Sons bakery.
Anglo Indian community’s Christmas celebrations in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh : FOR METROPLUS : 19/12/2024 : Children enjoying at a Christmas event by All India Anglo Indian Association, Visakhapatnam chapter, at Kotak Primary School in Visakhapatnam. Photo K.R Deepak / The Hindu | Photo Credit: DEEPAK KR
From rose cookies to soulful carol sessions, Christmas is a joyful celebration of festive treats and community bonding for the All India Anglo Indian Association, Visakhapatnam chapter
The celebrations culminate on Christmas day with a grand dinner with traditional Anglo-Indian dishes like coconut rice and ball curry, rose cookies, and home-made wines, bringing the community together for a feast that blends tradition and flavour.
Christmas inside 100-year-old Medak Cathedral in Telangana
The Medak Cathedral was declared open for worship by Rev. Robert H. Posnett on the Christmas Day of 1924; a hundred years on, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is likely to visit the church on Christmas. Mettu Deva Prakasham will step into the Medak Cathedral for the midnight service with a sense of awe and ownership. A hundred years ago, when Reverend Robert H. Posnett and his brother Reverend Charles Walker Posnett held the first service and travelled in a procession led by elephants to mark the first Christmas, Mr. Deva Prakasham’s maternal and paternal grandparents were part of the laity that numbered about 3,000 on that day. They heard the Christmas sermon by Rev. Daniel Napoleon. A hundred years later on December 25, 2024, their grandson will attend the service at Church of South India cathedral.
How the Mizo population in Kerala celebrates Christmas
Members of Kerala Mizo Association at one of their Christmas gathering in Thiruvananthapuram | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Mizos across Kerala come together in Thiruvananthapuram under the auspices of Kerala Mizo Association.
It is time to say Christmas Chibai or Merry Christmas for the small Mizo community in Kerala which has been gathering in Thiruvananthapuram every Christmas under the auspices of Kerala Mizo Association formed in 2009. There is also the Trivandrum Mizo Christian Fellowship that was started in 1986 by nine Mizo students of CET.
Christmas in Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 10 (ANI): People visit decorated Veil Beach before the Christmas celebrations, in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. (ANI Photo) | Photo Credit: ANI
Through foods, drinks and traditions, foreigners make themselves at home during Christmas in Thiruvananthapuram.
Foreign citizens who have been in the city for years have made this place their home bringing in traditions from their countries. While keeping in touch with their roots, they are also ready to partake in the local celebrations.
A quick guide to a Fort Kochi Christmas
Kochi / Kerala, 29/12/18: A huge rain tree illuminated at Veli Ground in Fort Kochi is adorned with 150 stars, 150 bells and 45,000 bulbs, in connection with the Christmas-New Year season. Photo: H.Vibhu/ The Hindu. | Photo Credit: VIBHU H
They say you have not seen Christmas in Kerala, if you have not been to the one in Fort Kochi. The streets that lead up to Fort Kochi are decorated with buntings and everything is illuminated — the buildings, the street sides and the ancient trees. For those who do not mind a crowded, touristy feel of Kochi, Christmas is probably the best time to visit.
From food to activities, games and sports, there is something that would entice every new visitor. Here is a quick guide to what you can do in Fort Kochi this Christmas.
Christmas tree hopping in Chennai
n the heart of Chennai, the holiday season unfurls its magic. Beyond the classic pine and fir, the city is adorned with innovative Christmas trees that not only illuminate the city but also encapsulate the spirit of Christmas — a season of joy, renewal, and the limitless possibilities of festive innovation; a symphony of lights and holiday cheer.
Here are six unique Christmas trees you can visit this year
The festival of Joy in Bengaluru
KARNATAKA : BENGALURU : 23/12/2024 : View of Hudson Memorial Church in Bengaluru on Monday 23 December 2024. PHOTO : SUDHAKARA JAIN / THE HINDU. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN
Beyond Bengaluru’s tech corridors and busy streets lie its oldest churches, where every brick holds a story from the colonial past, and every tradition bridges past and present.Bengaluru, strategically located between Mangaluru on the west coast and Chennai on the east, became an important outpost for the British. As a result, it only made sense for the soldiers who settled here to establish a few Anglican and Catholic churches. Meanwhile, the Wesleyan missionaries who were focused on “educating” the local population for their social upliftment, also found the time to set up a few churches alongside their mission. We visit some of them this Christmas season
Published - December 24, 2024 06:00 pm IST
