25.12.2025

Christmas Celebration at the Roerich Estate in Naggar

India is a country of many cultures and religions, where bright colors, enchanting songs and dances, and unique holidays and festivals reign supreme. Although Hinduism and Islam dominate in India, Christmas—one of the most important Christian holidays—is celebrated here widely and joyfully, uniting hearts in love and harmony. And this applies not only to South India—in the north, in the Himalayas, the special magic of Christmas and the approaching New Year can also be felt during this time. It manifests itself in the lights of garlands, in the figures of Santa Clauses outside hotel windows, and in the lively smiles of numerous tourists who come from all corners of India to the Himalayas to reach the high mountain areas and touch the snow — white, cold, and so Christmassy!

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Christmas sounds most joyfully and cheerfully these days at the Memorial Estate of the Roerich family in the Kullu Valley. Every year on December 25, many children from Naggar and surrounding villages come here. Many of them prepare carefully for this day—they learn poems and songs and rehearse dance numbers. The Russian-Indian team of the International Roerich Memorial Trust is also preparing for the arrival of young guests and the celebration of Christmas. IRMT staff and teachers of the Helena Roerich Academy of Arts decorate the Christmas tree, collect gifts, and decorate the stage and the IRMT Green Theater area with New Year's and Christmas garlands.

The Chief Guest of the Christmas celebration was Dr. Hari Chauhan, Curator of the Himachal Pradesh State Museum (Shimla). In his welcoming speech, Dr. Chauhan noted that India is one of the oldest cradles of humanity—throughout its long history, it has had a tremendous influence on the culture of the whole world, but it has also borrowed much from other cultures. Christianity in India is represented by ancient communities dating back to the Apostle Thomas; it is reflected in the fusion of local traditions with Christian rites; in architectural monuments, in education, and in traditions of charity. Christianity has become an integral part of India's cultural heritage and must be carefully preserved, as, along with other religions, it shapes the country's unique spiritual and cultural landscape.

This year was no exception. Although December in Kullu was completely snowless, dry, and quite warm, the spirit of Christmas was felt in a particularly festive way at the Roerich Estate. In the morning, about 400 girls and boys gathered at the Green Theater of the IRMT, where Christmas and New Year's songs in different languages were already playing, a New Year's tree sparkled, and the curtain glowed with lights. The youngest guests, waiting for the program to begin, looked at the toys on the tree and danced on the stage, while the older children chatted with their friends, their parents standing nearby, infected by the general joyful mood.

Indian Curator of the IRMT Suresh Kumar emphasized that celebrating Christmas at the Roerich Estate has become a wonderful tradition that brings children and their families together around the Roerich Trust. Such holidays enrich children's horizons and broaden their minds, educating the younger generation in the spirit of respect for the cultural traditions of India and other countries.

Russian Curator Larisa Surgina recalled that the Roerich family deeply respected different religions and beliefs. Like the outstanding Indian sage Shree Swami Vivekananda, they believed that all religions have a single source of truth, knowledge from which is brought to people by the Great Teachers of humanity, or Mahatmas, as They are called in India. The Great Teacher Jesus Christ brought to our Earth the teaching of great Love, saying that a person should strive to live not for themselves, but for others, not for their own ego, but for the Common Good. Therefore, the bright holiday of Christmas unites people, bringing a sense of unity, love, and hope to their souls.

After the speeches, it was time to loudly call Santa Claus, or Grandfather Frost, to the stage. Behind the image of this legendary Christmas character, who gives children gifts on New Year's Eve, stands a real historical figure — the Christian Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, a 4th-century bishop known for his kindness and generosity. 

At the friendly call of four hundred ringing children's voices, the Magical Hero of the Christmas program appeared with his helpers and a large bag of souvenirs — and the holiday began. Songs, poems, and music sounded, children danced and laughed, parents took pictures and smiled happily. And at the end of the children's performances, Santa Claus—Grandfather Frost — handed out gifts to all the children. 

The guests left with a feeling of gratitude for the holiday and with the feeling that Christmas at the Roerichs' Estate had illuminated everyone with the light of wonder and a sense of participation in a beautiful mystery...

The IRMT team would like to express its gratitude to the International Center of the Roerichs (Moscow) and its friends and volunteers for their comprehensive support, which made annual Christmas celebration at the Roerich Estate possible.