Centuries after the Portuguese handed over the reins of the city to the British, traces of their cultural influence still shine in the Christmas celebrations of the East Indian community. Among the city’s oldest inhabitants, this Christian community is native to Mumbai and its members came to call themselves East Indians to differentiate themselves from the Goan and Manglorean migrants. 

Whether they converted during the Portuguese rule, or much earlier at the hands of Apostle Bartholomew is still under debate. But the community continues to thrive in pockets across the city, in gaothans across Bandra, Marol, Chembur, Vasai, and parts of Thane and Raigad. Each gaothan celebrates Christmas with gusto.