Easter celebrations began across the North-east with midnight prayers and church services on Saturday.
The faithful took part in midnight Mass, besides renewing their commitment to lead a virtuous life in the north-eastern states, mainly Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram, pre-dominant with Christian population.
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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 north-eastern states by playing the hymn ‘He’s arisen’ to mark the beginning of the Easter Sunday.
The Easter celebrations will continue on Sunday with church services and prayers at various intervals.
Over 5.3 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur while there are a significant number of Christians in the other north-eastern states – Tripura, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
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In Mizoram, sunrise services were organized by the youth wings of all local churches in their areas.
Special prayers and worship were also held by the church members breaking their fast after Good Friday.
In some parts of East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, Shad Paskha (Easter Dance) will be performed on Sunday.
Easter culminates the Holy Week which began on Palm Sunday.
Earlier on Friday, Christians across the state of Meghalaya braveda heavy downpour and strong winds to observe Good Friday by attending special church service commemorating the crucification of Jesus Christ.
In Tura, though a massive thunderstorm accompanied by hail and strong winds snapped power supply ahead of the observance, but it failed to deter the spirit of the devotees.
At the Sacred Heart Shrine in Tura, Catholic faithful enacted the 14 Stations of the Cross to commemorate the last journey of Lord Jesus Christ to Mount Calvary where he was crucified on the cross by the Romans.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Nagaland, P B Acharya has extended Easter greetings to the people of Nagaland.
In a message, the Governor called on the people of the State to remember the true meaning of Easter and the sacrifice that has been made out of love.
“The significance of Christ’s resurrection was that truth triumphs over evil and love is always stronger than hatred,” he stated in a press release.
Acharya encouraged all the people to work for peace, harmony and brotherhood and also hoped that the celebration of Easter fosters the spirit of love and forgiveness in all.