New Delhi, Mar 23: The Christian community in the Capital today celebrated Easter with religious fervour to commemorate Christ rising from the dead, three days after he was crucified.

The main prayers were held in Sacred Heart Cathedral (Gole Dakkhana) and Mary's Orthodox Cathedral (Hauz Khas), where thousands of faithfuls assembled to mark the occasion. Easter celebrations began around 0300 hrs as Christ is believed to have been resurrected at the break of dawn. After the mass, daylong celebrations and feasting followed. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon or the first Sunday after Good Friday, when Christ was crucified. Markets were teeming with Easter eggs and chocolate bunnys which are exchanged to celebrate the festival. After Good Friday fasts, people enjoyed feasts with roasted chicken and turkey forming a major part of goodies.

Several people visited charity homes and orphanages to distribute chocolates, sweets and milk. Easter is usually marked by devotees, lighting candles, singing devotional songs and holding special prayers. The coloured eggs are a big part of the tradition as eggs symbolise life.

UNI