Goa's exotic Christmas

Those looking for a different kind of Christmas this year could grab a flight to Goa and enjoy the festivities in the Indian sunshine.

Midnight masses on Christmas Eve see local Christians fill churches such as the Basilica of Bom Jesus, the Church of Our Lady of Rosary and The Church of St Anne, with their popularity being such that visitors are urged to obtain a pew early on.

The celebrations often spill out of the churches and reach the beaches and markets, making for a vibrant atmosphere across the region.

Christmas Day services traditionally see churchgoers dressed in brand new clothes, with family gatherings taking place later on in the day and lights being placed throughout Goa in a similar way to Diwali.

The festivities continue for up to ten days after December 25th, with New Year's being celebrated with the ceremonial burning of an effigy and the end of the official Christmas period being marked by a service and street procession on January 6th.

For more information, check out Goa's tourism website.

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