India, the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, marks the birth of Jesus with a national holiday.

Indians call Christmas Bara Din or the Big Day.
Just 2 percent of the Indian population is Christian, but writer Naresh Fernandes says, "That's 2 percent of the population of one billion. So that is quite a lot of people for whom December 25th is very important.

With its 70 varieties of cakes in the shape of stars, yule logs, and Santas, this 86-year-old establishment is jammed this time of year with holiday-makers who eat and sing their way through the season.
 Neeraj Devraj, a soloist with The Capital City Minstrels, says he's not Christian or religious

but celebrates Christmas with the same fervor he celebrates the Hindu festival of lights known as Diwali and the Muslim feast of Eid.

"For me personally, Christmas is about getting together with the people you are fond of, people you love," he says. "It's great fun, it's the joy of giving. It's very Indian ... to just celebrate the aspect of being alive and being around people who matter."
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