A part of the British Empire until 1947, some relics of that time remain in India today. Though predominantly dominated by Hinduism (80.5%) and Islam (13.4%), there are also 2.3% of the population practising Christianity. That doesn't seem a lot but with a population of over a billion, it equates to over 24 million people (Census India, 2011). Christmas, known as Bada Din ("Big Day"), is celebrated in much the same fashion as the UK, but some elements have a twist..."Servants are given baksheesh (money tips) by their employers, lemons (a symbol of esteem) are offered with the hope that they will give long life and prosperity, the populations of the plains form Christmas trees from straw, twigs and mud and adorn them with candles, the aboriginal Bhils have all-night caroling sessions for the whole of Christmas week, in other areas homes may be decorated with mango leaves, and in the south diyas (lit oil lamps) are placed on rooftops and walls" (Crump, 2013).
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| Christmas spirit in Mumbai (Times of India) |
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