As a Hindu living in the Indian Himalayas, the festivals I grew up with were Holi - the festival of colours, where people smear colours on each other. Diwali, where lamps are lit, God is worshipped, and special food is prepared at home. Delicious dishes are shared with neighbours. Apart from these, we celebrate some state-specific festivals we celebrate throughout the year.
We do not have any major festival in December. This is the time of the year when it is cold in the mountains, perfect for enjoying good food or taking a small trip. Because of this, Christmas has always fascinated me. Working in a global organization, talking online with my colleague from different countries about Christmas, year-end mountain trips, the vibrant markets, and a Christian friend of my father's made Christmas feel familiar even it is not our festival. It’s like celebrating it always from a distance. I love the year-end vibe of Christmas. The colourful market, shopping, cakes, food, and decorations make this festival exciting.
Just yesterday, on December 1st, one of my colleagues from the UK told me how she had already finished 95 per cent of her shopping last Friday and had decorated his house on December 1st. This year, there will be a Christmas celebration at his house, where both her brothers will come with their families. She mentioned that she had already decorated the house. She said 95 per cent she had completed her shopping, I was curious to know what the remaining 5 per cent was. There's nothing better than sitting around with family at the end of the year, having a good meal, and talking a lot.
Talking to my colleague allows me to experience Christmas more closely through conversations. shopping, gifts and selection of food. Their preparation, shopping, gifts, food choices, and family gathering plan. Christmas seems like a beautiful festival to spend meaningful time with family. These days, due to a busy schedule, we sometimes do not meet our loved ones for years. Festivals become an important time to reconnect, and I feel the year-end time with Christmas vibes serves the purpose.
People in my workplace often ask me at which time of the year I would like to come to visit UK, and my answer is always the same - Christmas time. I want to experience the home decoration, the warm table setting with food, lights on the doors and the festive markets. Even though it is not my festival, as a Hindu, I have always experienced it from a distance. I felt like a part of this festival.
My son and I have watched the Polar Express many times during the Christmas season. I love the way movie captures the celebration and magic of ending the year with joy and hope
This year too, we'll be travelling to a mountain. The market, the tourists, and overall year-end energy will once again make us feel like we are part of this beautiful festival.
Disclaimer: The photographs clicked on my phone One Plus, three christmas related photo shared by my colleague from UK and I translated this blog in google translate from Hindi to English.