Easter Celebrations in Kerala

Coming up in Kerala is the festival Easter which falls on 24th April 2011. Easter is the oldest Christian festival. The celebrations commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. During Easter many Keralites observe Lent from Ash Wednesday to Easter, abstaining from non-vegetarian food and wine. After the Easter Vigil Mass or Sunday Morning Mass, it's celebration time with lots of non-vegetarian food and wine.

Easter begins with the Lent, the forty days of fasting. Observance of Easter extends the holy week from Thursday to Sunday. On Holy Thursday the Lord's supper is held in the evening. The washing of feet is a remarkable trait, emphasizing the love for one another. At home there will be the rite of the paschal bread. After supper, the 'cross cake' is brought out and cut into pieces. A piece is broken, dipped into sauce and handed over to each member of the family in due order. Good Friday is a day of grief when churches are empty and dark. Services are held in the afternoon. In most churches one finds a bitter drink prepared from leaves, vinegar, etc. for everyone to taste after the service. Holy Saturday is a day of mourning and wailing. A total silence reigns the church from morning to dusk. But by ten at night the church is full to observe the Easter Vigil. In the gloom which envelops the church, new fire is struck from flint and blessed. A big candle is then consecrated and from it is lighted many candled indicating the resurrection. Bells peal, music fills the air and light floods the hall. Hallelujah is the joyous word of Easter wish. Easter Sunday is a quiet day and the celebrations rather spiritual and inward rather than social and showy. There will be grand dinner at homes and visit of relatives. On Easter, especially in Christian strongholds of Kerala, families come together to celebrate the most important event of the day - the traditional Easter breakfast.

The traditional 'appam' made of rice powder and fresh toddy or yeast is the main meal on breakfast table. The other delicacies include baked bananas, egg curry and the more popular stew made with mutton, chicken and beef.