These pictures show how Indians are celebrating Christmas

Christians constitute only around two percent of Indian population but the festival of Christmas is celebrated on a larger scale with full exuberance across the country. Markets and shopping malls are decked up, houses are decorated, churches are illuminated and special prayer meets are organised on this occasion. People dressed up as Santa Claus can be seen distributing gifts in markets and on the roadsides. Tourism industry makes hefty profit as people often plan their holiday from Christmas to New Year. Although, coronavirus pandemic has cast its shadow on Christmas as large public gatherings are not allowed this year. State governments have issued guidelines to contain the spread of COVID-19. In Maharashtra, churches should not be overcrowded at any point in time and that physical distance should be maintained. The mass organised in churches on Christmas should not have more than 50 people at a time.

People light candles on Christmas at a church in Amritsar.

Faithful wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus sit in an open area outside the church and watch live streaming of Christmas mass on a big screen due to COVID-19 restrictions in Guwahati.

A caretaker cleans the aisle of St. John in the Wilderness church on Christmas in Dharamshala.

Nirbhaya squad take out a rally to spread awareness for wearing mask due to Coronavirus in Jaipur.

A female pastor wearing a protective face mask prays inside the St Stephen's Church during Christmas celebrations, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the old quarter of Delhi.

A dog howls as people wearing Santa hats take part in a laughter yoga session during Christmas celebrations on a beach in Mumbai.

Devotees wearing facemasks and maintaining social distancing as a preventive measure against the Covid-19 attend the Christmas mass at a church in Ahmedabad.

Worshippers wearing protective face masks sit at Christ the King Cathedral of Shimla at sector 19 during Christmas celebrations.

A Christian devotee sits in a church ahead of a mass service on the eve of Christmas in Mumbai.