Chandigarh: Alike other communities, Christians have also noticed a marked difference in the way they celebrated Easter earlier and in the contemporary time. Easter is all about making dishes, sharing and celebrating Christ's rebirth. Throwing light on the prevailing trends, Magdalena John, a teacher, said, "Usually, Easter eggs were made at home but for the ease and for saving time, people prefer buying the choco eggs from bakeries." People these days make variety of food items that could save time. Anything that is convenient is shared as a token of love among friends and relatives. South Indian dishes have started adding to Easter cuisines thus bridging communal gaps.
Louiza, Sector 49, said, "Children do not know about the traditional practices that use to accompany easter festivities. It is quite strange that few traditions like Bunny hunting and egg hiding have faded with time." Joana from Philippines who has been in Chandigarh for the past 10 years, said: "Egg hiding is just for fun and has to do nothing with devotion. It is just like Santa Claus on Christmas. They aim at making the festival full of life even for kids apart from spiritual activities."
"It is not that trendy to do lighting at homes and decorating it on Easter eves. Due to exams season and office work, I hardly get time to make special dishes at home and to entertain guests but I will be taking out time to visit my sister and to exchange sweets," said Louiza.
"Around 600 Christians from Chandigarh come to Christ the King Cathedral, Catholic Church, in Sector 19 on the holy occasions," says Father Ambrose. He is happy about peoples' participation in spiritual activities. The Sector 19 church is the oldest church in Chandigarh and was inaugurated in 1979, and is currently overseen by Bishop Ignatius Loyola Mascarenhes. Ambrose said, "The night vigils and prayers and breaking the fast during afternoon on Easter are the crucial parts of Easter eve while the egg-exchanging, hidings and celebrations are the external things that have nothing to do with the spiritual ceremonies."
: Easter delicacies topping bakeries
On Easter eve, the bakeries display variety of chocolate based Easter eggs, Easter bunnies that are rabbit-shaped and are made out of colorful creams. The Easter eggs are the centre of attraction for this festival. The egg symbolizes the new birth hence the main idea is to celebrate rebirth of Jesus Christ. People on this eve, exchange Easter eggs and cookies and organize get-togethers with family and friends. The eggs are made out of chocolate and are topped with gems and caramel. The Easter eggs are delightfully wrapped in colorful foils and are available at most bakery outlets.
Easter- A new dawn of the Holy week
The celebration of Easter holds great importance for the Christian community. This is the final step of the holy week that begins with Palm Sunday -- the day on which Jesus Christ was treated like a king followed by the Maundy Thursday when he washed the feet of his disciples symbolizing "brotherhood" and had his last supper. People celebrate this day with holy communions like grape juice and bread. Good Friday symbolizes crucifixion of Christ. Finally, the day when Christ rose up is celebrated as Easter.
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