Torans are long banners that are traditionally made of marigolds and mango leaves, and are then hung on doorways. If you are feeling crafty, get some mango tree leaves and string them together with marigolds to make a festive display like it is done in most other festivals.
In Southern India, people will put small oil-burning clay lamps on the flat roofs of their homes to celebrate the holiday. By the end of December, the lanterns and lamps are a beautiful night time spectacle. [5] X Research source In Goa along the western coastline of India, people hang paper lanterns in the shape of stars, and string the lanterns between the houses to create a starry night walkway. [6] X Research source
You are encouraged to use materials beyond the standard statues, and include sand, rocks, bricks, and plants. Just make sure to remember to wait and not place the baby Jesus statue in the scene until Christmas Eve.
While out shopping, also consider picking up small gifts or sweets to exchange with loved ones on Christmas Day. Instead of giving large presents, people in India will visit neighbors and friends, and give home-made sweets or small trinkets. [9] X Research source You can choose whatever wear you are most comfortable with. Western wear comprising of pant, shirt, skirt, is also perfectly fine just like traditional kurtas, sari for women look festive. Wear jewellery and makeup you like. You can buy a santa cap or reindeer shaped headband that are locally available in shops during Christmas.
The recipe for the fruit cake usually includes chopped cashews, black raisins, and mixed dried fruits of dates, cherries, oranges peels, and more. [11] X Research source Try making Payasam (kheer) with boiled rice or dal, coconut milk which is sweetened by jaggery. It is a healthy dish. You can use sugar instead of jaggery too. Adding resin, cashew nut, and cardamom will further enhance the taste and aroma.
Some popular Christmas sweets to look out for include banana chips; neureos, which are small, fried pastries that are stuffed with dried fruit and coconut; dodol, which is similar to toffee, but is mixed with coconut and cashews; and kidiyo, which are deep-fried curly dough balls, dusted in sugar icing. These sweets are often given as gifts to friends and neighbors.
The morning breakfast or lunch can be appam and chicken curry. Appam is one of the variety of the Indian breads made with rice and coconut. Some other Christmas dinner foods you might want to try are coconut rice; fried carrots, cabbage, and beans; chicken stir-fry; mutton curry; and aloo kurma, which is a potato curry served to people who are vegetarians.
Popular locations include: Goa on the west coast of India; Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland in north-west India; and Kerala and Tamil Nadu in south India. [16] X Research source
A special midnight mass is held at the Mount Mary church in Bandra, a western suburb of Mumbai, on Christmas Eve. This is one of the most popular Christmas Eve services in the country. Hundreds of people congregate for this festive mass each year. All of the churches in Bandra are beautifully lit, and the famous Hill Road is decorated with flowers, festive lightning, and trees that are decorated by the locals. [18] X Research source Making arrangements for your travel back home should help as the mass will be at night. Booking a cab is always an available option.
The popular beaches to visit in Goa during the holiday season are Anjuna, Mapusa, and Candolim. [20] X Research source The nightlife in Goa is also something great to experience. The churches and homes are decorated with lights and poinsettia flowers, and children gather in groups to sing carols late into the night. [21] X Research source Other popular Christmas festivals are held in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai. [22] X Research source
If you want to ride the toy train, make sure to book tickets in advance. Unlike other trains in India, you can only reserve tickets for the toy train on3 month in advance instead of the traditional two months. The ticket fare varies greatly between the different toy train rides offered. The lowest fare is the Shimla-Kalka Express at 70 rupees ($1. 00 USD, or 0. 86 euros), and the most expensive fare is the Shivalik Deluxe at 500 rupees ($7. 13 USD, or 6. 16 euros). [24] X Research source The average toy train ride can take five to six hours. If you have other plans, you might want to reschedule them to a different day. [25] X Research source
Artists and performers display their talent at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale festival. Fireworks, decorated elephants, traditional dancing, and sporting competitions can be seen at the Cochin Carnival. The Indira Gandhi Boat Race utilizes the historic ports of the city to for an exciting boating display.
Goa in western India and Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai, are known for their festive caroling that goes long into the night. [28] X Research source
