Aizawl/Shillong, April 16 (IANS): Christians in most parts of the northeast with traditional pomp and gaiety celebrated the Easter Sunday signifying Jesus Christ’s victory over death after his crucifixion to redeem the world.
Accompanied by men, women and children dressed with vivid traditional attires, band parties of different corps of the Salvation Army woke the populace of several northeastern states by playing the hymn “He’s arisen” to mark the beginning of the Easter Sunday.
Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur while there are a significant number of Christians in the other northeastern states -- Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Sunrise services were organised by the youth wings of all local churches in their areas of the region.
Special prayers and worship were also held by the church members breaking their fast after Good Friday.
Amidst a warm sky and sunny temperature, the day was celebrated on Sunday with religious solemnity across Mizoram.
Mizoram Governor Lt. Gen. Nirbhay Sharma and Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla greeted the people on the occasion of Easter.
In Meghalaya, candlelight processions, baptism of newborns and coloured Easter eggs and buns were the hallmark of the day as Christians on Sunday joined their brethren the world over in celebrating Easter. Cathedrals and churches across this Christian-majority state were thronged by people for special mass and other celebratory events.
Archbishop of Shillong Dominic Jala presided over Easter mass at the St. Dominic Church in Mawlai Parish.
Pascal commemoration in many parishes was marked by candlelight processions and baptism of newborn.
Leaders of various political parties greeted the people on the occasion.
Wishing the people of Meghalaya, Governor Banwarilal Purohit said Easter is a festival of hope and millions of people over the world are inspired by this festival of sacrifice and forgiveness.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and National People’s Party President Conrad K. Sangma greeted the people on the occasion of Easter Sunday.
Nearly 75 per cent of Meghalaya’s three million population are Christians.
