India, Jan. 8 -- Diaspora communities often become preservers of cultural elements, including rituals that may have faded or become extinct in their original homelands due to modernisation, political change, or assimilation pressures. This is driven by a strong desire to maintain a distinct cultural identity and a sense of belonging to a new land.

In 1880, the Bishop of Calcutta was to be at Poona on the Feast of the Epiphany. Preparations for his arrival began much before Christmas. There was an excitement in the air and a large English crowd, as expected to attend the Holy Communion in the morning, which was to be followed by readings about the visit of the Magi. Epiphany hymns were being practised, and later, lunch was to be served. ...