Today is “Christmas Eve” and for the Indians Christmas is not only a festival but it brings opportunity for a long vacation with friends and family. Usually, when we think of vacation spending for Christmas, tourist places like Goa, Delhi, Mumbai comes to our mind first. But this year, let’s plan something different and drag your mind and soul for some off-beat yet special destinations for celebrating Christmas.
Kasol
A few years ago, Kasol appeared in news for a wrong reason. Kasol in Himachal Pradesh is surrounded by green mountains, valleys. If you are lucky enough, can celebrate ‘White Christmas’ if snowfall happens. Simple arrangements – a camping, bonfires, a variety of available cuisines and gala Christmas cultural events organised, that makes your Christmas a memory of ecstasy and fun.
Shillong
The capital of Meghalaya is a beautiful hill station and hence a significant number of people celebrate Christmas on a grand scale by decorating their houses, streets, surrounding and churches. Special events with Christmas songs along with traditional cuisines make the Christmas celebration more attractive and successful.
Daman
A Union Territory of India, Daman has a historical connection with Portugal and thus has a natural but unique way of celebrating Christmas. This place suddenly becomes lively with several cultural events like traditional Portuguese dance and songs on Christmas, other dance events etc . The residents here decorate their homes with lights, candles, prepare special Christmas meals and attend rituals and other events in churches.
Kolkata
“The City of Joy”. Kolkata’s Park Street revels on Jesus Christ’s birthday every year by organizing Annual Kolkata Christmas Festival which features rock music and some delicious food. People in a large number visit the famous churches like St. Paul’s Cathedral, St John’s Church etc for special prayer during this time. A gala celebration, the lights and sound along with some exotic food items, makes it all a place in Kolkata you would surely want to be at Christmas.
Puducherry
Puducherry was a french colony for a very long time. So like other festivals, the tourists can enjoy Christmas here with strong french essence. The fanatical celebrations in its churches at Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Church of the Assumption or at The Church of Our Lady of Good Health, add a truly devotional flavor to Christmas. The tourists here enjoys post Christmas dinners at the beaches.
