Easter Sunday in India

Easter is the oldest of all Christian festivals. It’s the day when devotees celebrate Jesus Christ rising from the dead and they recall the widely believed Christian legend of – resurrection of Christ. It has been called a movable feast because it doesn’t fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do and is typically the most well-attended Sunday church service for Christians. In India, Easter is observed on the first Sunday after the full moon. Good Friday is the Friday just before Easter Sunday.

EASTER LEGEND

According to the Bible, Jesus was tied and crucified. After he was declared dead, a man named Joseph took his body down from the cross, wrapped it in a linen sheet and placed it in a tomb. Some women witnessed this that the body had been placed in the grave without being anointed with any of the customary spices or perfumes. They went home and prepared the spices and perfumes and very early on Sunday morning, these women went back to the tomb with spices.

But they could not find the body of Jesus inside the tomb. Suddenly, they saw two men in bright shinning clothes standing beside them. As per legend these men, who were angels, asked the women why they were looking for the body of a man who had been raised and was alive. These women ran to tell their families; and the good news spread like wildfire.

People rejoiced at the return of the son of god. As it is believed that the resurrection took place on a Sunday, the feast too is celebrated on a Sunday on varying dates between March 22nd April 25 and is therefore called a movable feast.

CELEBRATIONS OF EASTER

Easter is also referred to as spring time festival. Time to welcome back the Tulips, the Crocuses (flowering plants) and the Daffodils. A time to rejoice and be happy symbolizing new beginnings. Time for new suits, new dresses, and time of chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, and colored eggs! 

People visit friends and relatives, exchange gifts and decorate eggs. WHY EGGS because egg symbolizes new life- breaking through the captivity of the hard egg shell. It was adapted to illustrate the release of Christ from his tomb. Earlier these eggs were painted at home. But now these eggs are made of chocolates and filled with sweets. They are readily available at confectioneries during Easter.

Easter bunny or rabbit is also very popular during Easter known as EASTER BUNNY. Rabbit is an extraordinarily fertile creature and therefore represents spring and is associated with Easter celebrations. Churches host special prayers and services on Easter. 

At home, people come together to participate in the ceremonial Easter feast. People all around India celebrate easter with great enthusiasm and host festive dinners. The most significant Easter food is lamb. There may be minor variations in the rituals observed by various peoples. But the spirit of joy and hope is universal.