India to light Christmas tree in its capital

People do not usually think of India at Christmas time because Hindu is the country's major religion.

But the Delhi News Record reports that visitors arriving in Delhi will find they can celebrate the holiday season with many of its traditional aspects.

Thousands of visitors are anticipated to show up for the lighting of a big Christmas tree in Delhi's Business Improvement Area (BIA).

Tourists and locals who attend the tree lighting on Friday November 16th will also get a chance to see Santa Claus.

The spokeswoman for the BIA, Diane Bertling, said this was the first time in several years for Delhi to put on this event. "Hopefully we can get a good turnout so then we can make it a tradition," she said.

Ms Bertling promised that on the Saturday following the tree lighting, visitors could expect to see a "novel" sight as live reindeer would be passing through Delhi.