Christmas - the winter holy fiesta is around the corner. It is one of the most celebrated occasion of Christians and the most renowned festival worldwide. This annual religious celebration might be for Christians, but the first day of December always sets our mood and celebration tone for the approaching festive season. Christmas has solemnization among all the communities and religions and everyone comes together to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Christian religion, is the "son of God". But not many are aware that the festival name Christmas is made up of by joining of “Christ” and “mass” which means the holy mass i.e festival of Christ. As a matter of fact, the lively jollification at the time of Christmas is for everyone in India. This may raise a question in everyone mind ;
Is Christmas celebrated in India?
India being a Hindu nation, does celebrate Christmas like any other Indian festival. Annie Besant - the famous British writer once said "India is a country in which every great religion finds a home". It is a secular affair, and we celebrate Christmas with much happiness and excitement.
25th of December is marked as a national holiday. Therefore, all the schools, colleges, offices ,government instituition remain closed. While the school usually have programs and functions for the kids, the offices and building were decorated and illuminated with lights. Christmas is celebrated by everyone irrespective of religion. The Kerala plum cake is a go to holiday treat in Indian households. It is one of the most selling things at every shops. I remember, during my childhood we use to make sure to buy these plum cake from local shops and enjoy it with siblings. With Christmas carol surely on our mouth.
Family time
Christmas time can be a unifying season for people. There can be a lot of crossover traditions worldwide, but the most common tradition high on most people’s list is spending time with loved ones. Christmas season as most people have time off. It is common to have large family gatherings on the occassion. It is a way to show our love and gratitude for the special people in our lives.
The majority of Indians are Hindu. Indians need an excuse to make any occasion big, and so does at time of Christmas. Many people in India celebrate Christmas as Bada Din, meaning “big day” or "long day". This is very common in area where I live. Like peoples do family gatherings at many places, we do it in our special way by arranging picnic.
Picnic Day
It is not like the modern way of visiting water park or theme park. Picnic is always arranged in our old traditional style. We make sure to include everyone in family. Look out for a place at the river side or in jungle (we have plenty of nice location) and then visit the place with groceries and stove to cook and enjoy the time with family and friends. The preparation begins early in the day, all the arrangement were made same day and then we have good gathering at an open space. While old like to play cards or listen to music, the kids were always running around, the ladies keep their talking along with cooking while the adults were busy in arrangement and making sure everything going smoothly. It is always a fun time.
The craze for picnic in my area is so much that you as the day progress upu hardly find any open vacant spaces. Every corner or the river side or prime location is filled with different people. And it cooking, dancing and singing all the way. This year too is not going to be different. And we already started marking our spaces for the day.
Travel Time
Christmas is also a travelling time for many Indian. With new year in sight, many people switch one their travelling mode and plan a long holiday. But not with me. Being the high time on winter it is always blessing to stay indoor and enjoy with families.
Christmas = Family = Celebration
PS : All photographs are my own and self edited
