New Delhi - Special prayers for victims of terrorist attacks and low-key festivities marked a subdued Christmas across India in the aftermath of the Mumbai attacks and the anti-Christian violence in eastern Orissa state, news reports said.

In the financial hub of Mumbai, Christians observed the holiday in a sombre mood, praying for the victims of the November 26 attacks which left at least 170 dead.

Mumbai, like India, is pre-dominantly Hindu but usually witnesses Christmas celebrations on a substantial scale as Hindus as well as other communities join the festivities. But the recent terrorist attacks muted the celebrations.

The city's churches had asked people to tone down celebrations due to the outrage over the attacks, the NDTV network reported.

"The city is still recovering as it has been a month since the outrageous attacks. The festivities in the city are thus low-profile," Mumbai resident Sandy D'Souza told news channels.

The city's hotels also saw a dip in bookings and cancellations of Christmas parties.

Rabbis at the Jewish centre in Nariman House - which was attacked by the militants - marked Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, by lighting candles and offering prayers.

Relatives of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka who were killed in the attacks, also reached Mumbai and were expected to hold a lighting ceremony at the Gateway of India monument on Thursday evening.

The mood was more festive in the national capital New Delhi, southern Kerala and India's north-eastern states which have substantial Christian population.

Thousands of Christians held midnight masses that passed off peacefully amid tight security arrangements in the eastern state of Orissa, the PTI news agency reported.

The state had witnessed widespread anti-Christian violence after the August 23 murder of Hindu leader Laxmananda Saraswati. Nearly 40 people, mostly Christians, were killed in the Hindu-Christian violence in the state that continued over two months.

The riot victims housed in government-run relief camps performed rituals and prayers without any untoward incident being reported. There were reports of road blockades from three places in central Kandhamal district which were later cleared by the security forces. (dpa)