The arrival of Apostle Thomas in Kerala, India around 52 AD introduced the concepts and rituals of Christianity to Kerala and India. The gorgeous churches of India still carry the erstwhile aura of the Dutch, Portuguese, French, and British settlements. There are breathtaking cathedrals and churches in South India and the coastal corridors of Tamil Nadu, the busy IT zones and heritage hotspots of Karnataka have the renowned style of Baroque and Gothic architecture.
On this Christmas Eve let us know how Christmas is celebrated all over India. Let your soul be invaded by the aura of the Reindeer forever and let your heart float in sleighs over happy skies. MERRY CHRISTMAS…
#1 Goa – The Paradise of Leisure
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Starting from gorging on a feast to extending our gratitude in midnight prayers, Goa is the best destination in India to go during your Christmas Holidays. Native people of Goa still follow their age-old tradition of ‘burning the old man’ while the beaches of Goa are flooded with fireworks. Churches like the Immaculate Conception Church and the Basilica of Bom Jesus are good choices. Calangute, Arambol, and Vagator Beaches are the best beaches in Goa to party hard and participate in music festivals.
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#2 Shimla – The Colonial Charm
The perfect destination to celebrate white Christmas in India. The colonial corridors of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is abundant with snowfall, great mountain food for foodies, and splendid views of the Himalayas for those who are devoted to Nature. Places like Christ Church in Shimla (the second oldest church in North India) are treasures to explore during Christmas. Like Goa, engaging in DJ, Live Music, and eating delicious turkey delicacies are beautiful things to do in Shimla. Hit Mall Road to try different types of street foods.
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#3 Pondicherry – The French Town
The French Town in India, Pondicherry is a beautiful place to travel with your family and friends during Christmas. White Town is good for photography while couple photo-shoot is one of the must-do things in that colourful destination. From its Paradise Beach, Promenade Beach, waves cuddling Rock Beach to the archaeologically strong site of Arikkamedu, Pondicherry is bliss coated with vintage and colour. Mission Street, Serenity Beach, Arulmigu Manakula Vinayagar Temple, and places like Sri Aurobindo Ashram will be filled with tourists during the Christmas month.
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#4 Kolkata – The Vintage Beauty
The sparkling streets of Kolkata will become more vibrant with LED Devil Led horns, Bunny Ears, and the Anglo-Indian Charm. Oh, my India! You show your real colour during festivals – We are many. We are united. These festivals celebrated in almost every home of India speak our Unity. And, Kolkata is a linchpin when it comes to Christmas celebrations. The Bengali Christmas population carry from the past except the kindness kindled long back by Mother Teresa. Get to New Market in Kolkata and you’ll see a Giant Santa waving you with the same energy as Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi. The Neon-strobe lights of Hogg Market and heritage appeal improving Jewish Bakeries, Hijab wearing ladies, Turban wearing men, and holy ash applied men celebrate the happiness of Christmas with a united mindset. That’s why you should be in Kolkata during Christmas.
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#5 Daman & Diu – The Arabian Dessert
The City of Two Forts and Land of Sea Daman & Diu respectively still carry the Portuguese vibe. Especially during Christmas times, although Daman & Diu are 650 km apart, the aura of these two cross-cultural destinations complement each other. The Church of Our Lady of Angustias, The Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary, Church of Bom Jesus, and Church of Our Lady of Remedies are the popular churches to visit in Daman. The presence of a Gujarati atmosphere if beautifully held together by the Portuguese Dance during Christmas eve and Yuletide. While Diu is an ineffable mix of Christians, Hindus, and Muslims. St Paul’s Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Immaculate Inception is the important church while The Church of St. Thomas and The Church of St. Francis of Assisi is now a museum and government hospital.
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#6 Kerala – The Cultural Cocktail
From delicious Christmas Plum cakes made using fruits soaked in wine for more than a month to traditional Kerala household preparations like Acchapam cookies, with coconut milk and rice flour as ingredients, kappa stew (Tapioca and coconut milk stew), Uniappam (sweet made of jaggery, rice & banana), Neyappam (rice based fritter), Kappa biriyani, chicken biriyani, appam (Kerala style pancakes) are some of the best culinary delights to have in Kerala. Christmas turkey is also a special Kerala dish to try during Christmas eve in God’s Own Country. Churches like St.Francis Church, Sanat Cruz Cathedral Basilica, and Holy Koonan Cross Church are famous attractions to visit during Christmas in Kerala.
#7 Delhi – The History of Harmony
Head to Sacred Heart Cathedral Church for midnight mass, and St. Alphonsa’s Church for the luscious Christmas aura, and spacious St. James Church also known as Skinner’s Church to celebrate Christmas in Delhi. Get to the German Christmas Market nearby Humayun’s Tomb for a proper European Christmas vibe. Nappa Dori Christmas Market for the splendid combination of food and fun, and Theobroma Pattisserie for the scrumptious collection of doughnuts, cakes, pastries, marshmallows, and confections are must-visit Christmas markets in Delhi. Another must-visit destination during Christmas in Delhi is Wenger’s near Connaught Place.
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#8 Ooty – A Gift of the Western Ghats
One of the best British summer retreats in South India to celebrate Christmas in Tamil Nadu. Click memorable scenery riding in the Toy Train Express of Nilgiri Railways, dip in the Catherine Waterfalls, rent a cycle and visit Toda villages full of fairy tale huts, breath easy near Dolphin’s Nose, and seek blessings from St. Stephen’s Church in Club Road. Visit Holy Trinity Church in Upper Bazaar Road, and the 1870 built ST. Thomas Church shown in “A Passage to India” movie. Sacred Heart Cathedral near Havelock Road, and the whiteness reverberating holy church of the Catholics – Joseph’s Church near Woodcock Road.
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#9 Manali – An Adventurer’s Delight
Himachal Pradesh is mostly loved for two different reasons – One for the old world charm of Shimla and another for the adventurous nature of Manali. From Rohtang Pass to Solang Valley and Beas River, Manali has an adventurous Christmas vibe attached to it. Another White Christmas destination for making snowman, skiing, shopping souvenirs, and to enjoy snow in India, Manali is a great destination for a perfect family White Christmas in India. Manali is also a great honeymoon destination for the young and adventurous sporty couples. If you want to try Hebrew style dishes in Manali, head to Kasol which is a mini-Israeli destination in India.
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#10 Sikkim – The Cousin of the Seven Sisters
Tread in midnight hours with your travel buddies in MG Road of Sikkim, gather for great food in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, find solace with your loved one in Darjeeling, walk on the top of the Singshore Suspension Pelling Bridge, and stroll near the Tsomgo Lake for a natural high. Sikkim is one of the best destinations in India to celebrate your Christmas in a perfect natural setting. The internationally famous Gurudongmar Lake is a geographical miracle while the Ancient Silk Route of Zuluk is a sight to watch out for all those who love history and basically have a knack for history-blended geographical wonders. The cousin of the seven sisters of the North East carries the whole Christmas Vibes of Northeast. A complete hilly Christmas package.
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If you have read till here, thank you. If you felt this blog to be informative, kindly share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
And,
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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