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| Although the Christian population in India constitutes a minuscule 2.3% of the total populace, the festival of Easter is celebrated with fanfare and religious vigor. Christians all over the country, especially in Mumbai, Goa and the Northeastern states, make elaborate arrangements for Easter festivities. Worshippers throng the churches for special prayers and rituals. Easter celebration in India dates back to the British colonial yoke in India. Moreover, there are influences of the Portuguese and French rule in some parts of the country. During Easter, Easter eggs are sold in stores, and people exchange these items with each other. |
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Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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One of the holiest festivals of the Christians, Easter commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus after his Crucifixion. Like the origin of the festival, the precise date of Easter Sunday too has been a matter of contention. Easter and the holidays that are related to it are moveable feasts, in that they do not fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars (which follow the motion of the sun and the seasons). Instead, they are based on a lunar calendar.
The Easter Day also traditionally heralds the advent of the spring season after the gloomy months of winter. As such Easter festival is associated with joyous merriment and gaiety. |
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It is believed that the name "Easter" originated with the names of an ancient Anglo - Saxon Goddess Ēostre, attested by a Christian scholar Venerable Bede. Bede states that the name refers to the fourth month of the year which was named for the goddess who was celebrated at the Spring equinox. |
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Good Friday is observed in remembrance of Jesus' execution by the occupying Roman army, and his burial in a cave-tomb. Easter Sunday was when a group of his female followers first noticed the empty tomb, and concluded that he had either been resurrected, or his body had been stolen. To commemorate this there is a Dawn service held at several churches across India where people gather with lit candles for a few moments. |
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Notwithstanding the religious flavor, the celebration of Easter festival transcends the confines of Christian church. Easter celebration has always been synonymous with merry-making and enjoyment. Because of this aspect, the recent years have witnessed increasing commercialization of the Easter festival. Today during Easter holidays, sale of greeting cards and confectionery such as chocolate Easter eggs, marshmallow bunnies, and jelly beans prove to be big hits. |
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| Here’s a quick and simple way to surprise your loved ones with home made chocolate Easter eggs. For this you’ll need - |
Ingredients:
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 1/2-2 cups icing sugar
• 1 (300 g) package milk
chocolate chips
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Cream together, the peanut butter and butter. Stir in coconut. Stir in 1 cup icing sugar and mix well. Stir in remaining icing sugar, gradually, until mixture holds its shape when formed. Shape into 24 egg shaped pieces with your hands. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1 hour. Put chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Melt chips on High in the microwave. Stir until smooth and melted. Dip eggs in chocolate. Place on waxed paper to harden. Chill.
The above measurements make 24 yummy chocolate Easter eggs. You may want to change the quantity as per requirement.
Easter is celebrated around the world with fanfare and religious vigor. While the religious observations of the festival follow the Christian church, the basic contours of Easter celebration may vary in different countries due to regional influences. |
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