One of the most popular times of the year and almost everybody looks forward to December, no matter where they are in the world! Family, friends, great food and drink and the exchanging of gifts along with the religious and cultural significance behind it.
One place I would just love to experience Christmas is in Goa, India.
The state has a large Christian population and its many beautiful, ancient Portuguese style churches overflow with people and Christmas cheer. Christmas decorations and trees adorn houses; embellish streets, and market places. Christmas carols are sung and many of the churches hold midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Beach parties also thrive.
 |
| An example of 'Christmas in Goa' |
With over a hundred churches, it is in Goa that you will get the real feeling of Christmas.
The Christian community in India celebrate Christmas with spectacle, high spirits and devotion. Celebrations of the Christmas festival begin on the eve of Christmas on 24th of December and continue until New Year's Day.
Christmas Day called 'Bada Din' (Big Day) in Hindi is a national holiday in India and people from all religions join their Christian friends to make the most of the joyous celebrations.
Customs for Christmas celebrations vary in the vast region of India. These variations are largely because of the local cultural influence. In South India, for instance, Christians light clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses, the same way as Hindus decorate their homes during the Diwali Festival. Moreover, in several states of India a popular custom is to decorate banana or mango trees instead of the traditional pine tree. In North West India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil tribe go out night after night for a week during the period to sing their equivalent of carols. In Mumbai, which has one of the largest Roman Catholic communities in India, there is a tradition to portray nativity scenes and decorate homes with big stars.
As I said above, the most thrilling celebration of Christmas can be seen in the vivacious state of Goa. A large number of domestic and international tourists gather to the beaches of Goa during the Christmas festival to watch it at its cultural best. The Carnival, preceding Lent, is the most important event at Goa. This is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The Times Of India recently reported that if you plan to celebrate Christmas in Goa or usher in the New Year there, be ready to spend anywhere up to Rs 40,000 for a return ticket on those weekends. And this is just from Mumbai. Can you imagine the price of a last minute ticket from anywhere in the UK? Woweeee!
The Christian community in India celebrate Christmas with spectacle, high spirits and devotion. Celebrations of the Christmas festival begin on the eve of Christmas on 24th of December and continue until New Year's Day.
Christmas Day called 'Bada Din' (Big Day) in Hindi is a national holiday in India and people from all religions join their Christian friends to make the most of the joyous celebrations.
Customs for Christmas celebrations vary in the vast region of India. These variations are largely because of the local cultural influence. In South India, for instance, Christians light clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses, the same way as Hindus decorate their homes during the Diwali Festival. Moreover, in several states of India a popular custom is to decorate banana or mango trees instead of the traditional pine tree. In North West India, the tribal Christians of the Bhil tribe go out night after night for a week during the period to sing their equivalent of carols. In Mumbai, which has one of the largest Roman Catholic communities in India, there is a tradition to portray nativity scenes and decorate homes with big stars.
As I said above, the most thrilling celebration of Christmas can be seen in the vivacious state of Goa. A large number of domestic and international tourists gather to the beaches of Goa during the Christmas festival to watch it at its cultural best. The Carnival, preceding Lent, is the most important event at Goa. This is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The Times Of India recently reported that if you plan to celebrate Christmas in Goa or usher in the New Year there, be ready to spend anywhere up to Rs 40,000 for a return ticket on those weekends. And this is just from Mumbai. Can you imagine the price of a last minute ticket from anywhere in the UK? Woweeee!
No comments:
Post a Comment