Full pews, food-laden tables & community cheer mark Easter in Pune

Pune: The city's Christian community refused to allow unseasonal rain that disrupted Holy Week arrangements to dampen their spirit on a sunny Easter Sunday as they gathered in large numbers with prayer, family get-togethers and cheer to partake of celebrations marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.Churches reported packed congregations as the faithful attended early morning mass. Service at several parishes had been moved indoors earlier in the week due to heavy rain, but continued to draw crowds."On Easter, we went for morning mass and the church was packed. We had shifted the mass indoors after the heavy rain on Maundy Thursday. Otherwise, for all three days of the Holy Triduum, there is seating arranged in the church compound," said Nisha Monteiro, member of St Xavier's Church in Camp.The day moved seamlessly from solemnity to celebration for many. Family gatherings over Easter meals remained at the heart of celebrations. Home kitchens were busy with traditional spreads, often blending regional and community influences. "We had a full family lunch after mass, with mutton curry, pulao and caramel custard," said Vishalnagar resident Alicia D'Souza. "Everything was cooked at home with recipes passed down generations. That's what makes it special. Easter for us is about sitting together, eating slowly, talking a lot and catching up with everyone," she added.Restaurants and cafés also joined in the festivities, offering special Easter menus featuring roasts, quiches, Goan delicacies and festive confectionery. Some establishments also organised Easter egg hunts by hiding chocolate eggs across their premises for patrons to find.Pinata-style Easter eggs were a clear favourite among families, this year. The eggs are made with a hard chocolate shell designed to be broken open with a small hammer that comes with it, revealing treats hidden inside. The interactive element has made it especially popular with children, with many home bakers reporting a spike in demand this Easter.The celebrations extended into the evening with community events such as the Easter Ball at the Poona Goan Institute, Nana Peth. "The Easter ball is for families to come and celebrate the festival together with fun and dancing after attending church and a lavish festive lunch," said Craig Fernandes, frontman of the Pune-based band No Rush, which performed at the event. "Several non-Christian families also attend, because it's good fun. We play pop and rock songs that families can dance to, along with Konkani songs which bring in a Goan flavour you would typically hear at Christian weddings."