Lifestyle

In photos: How India is getting ready for Christmas

‘Tis the season.
‘Tis the season.
Image: Jaipal Singh/EPA-EF/REX/Shutterstock
By
Maria Thomas
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As Christmas Eve approaches, the festive spirit is spreading across India.

Though Christians account for just over 2% of the country’s population, millions of Indians of different religions celebrate the holiday every year, decorating their homes with stars and lights, and feasting on traditional treats.

From the end of November itself, vendors across India start selling Santa hats, Christmas trees, and ornaments in every colour. Local bakeries also do brisk business, selling hundreds of plum cakes and mince pies.

Here are some photos of the run-up to Christmas in India in 2018:

An Indian man and children dressed as Santa Claus dance to participate in a procession to celebrate Christmas in Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir, India.
An Indian man and children dressed as Santa Claus dance to participate in a procession to celebrate Christmas in Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir, India.
Image: AP Photo/Channi Anand
A man dressed as Santa Claus takes part in a Christmas procession in Jammu.
A man dressed as Santa Claus takes part in a Christmas procession in Jammu.
Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock/Jaipal Singh
Indian vendors sell Christmas-related merchandise at a public square in Kolkata, on Dec.17.
Indian vendors sell Christmas-related merchandise at a public square in Kolkata, on Dec.17.
Image: Piyal Adhikary/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
An Indian family takes a selfie with Santa in Kolkata.
An Indian family takes a selfie with Santa in Kolkata.
Image: Piyal Adhikary/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Vendors sell Santa Claus hats and glasses in Kolkata.
Vendors sell Santa Claus hats and glasses in Kolkata.
Image: Piyal Adhikary/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Santa Claus caps and masks for sale in Bhopal, the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Santa Claus caps and masks for sale in Bhopal, the capital of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
Image: Sanjeev Gupta/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
A worker gives finishing touches to a model of Santa Claus inside a workshop in Kolkata.
A worker gives finishing touches to a model of Santa Claus inside a workshop in Kolkata.
Image: Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri
People buy decorative items for the upcoming Christmas holidays in Bengaluru.
People buy decorative items for the upcoming Christmas holidays in Bengaluru.
Image: Jagadeesh NV/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
As part of the celebrations, Indians hang stars at the entrances to their homes. Here, a shopkeeper displays a variety of Christmas stars.
As part of the celebrations, Indians hang stars at the entrances to their homes. Here, a shopkeeper displays a variety of Christmas stars.
Image: Jagaeesh NV/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
A vendor arranges Santa Claus puppets in Bengaluru.
A vendor arranges Santa Claus puppets in Bengaluru.
Image: Jagadeesh NV/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Christmas goodies for sale at a market area in Kolkata.
Christmas goodies for sale at a market area in Kolkata.
Image: Reuters/Rupak De Chowdhuri
Indian vendors sell Santa Claus masks and caps on a street in Hyderabad.
Indian vendors sell Santa Claus masks and caps on a street in Hyderabad.
Image: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A
A person dressed as Santa Claus distributes sweets to inmates during Christmas celebrations inside Kot Bhalwal jail, on the outskirts of Jammu, India.
A person dressed as Santa Claus distributes sweets to inmates during Christmas celebrations inside Kot Bhalwal jail, on the outskirts of Jammu, India.
Image: Reuters/Mukesh Gupta
Children cheer around men dressed as Santa Claus during Christmas celebrations inside their school in Agartala, in India’s Tripura state.
Children cheer around men dressed as Santa Claus during Christmas celebrations inside their school in Agartala, in India’s Tripura state.
Image: Reuters/Jayanta Dey