The state saw low-profile Easter celebrations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but churches in Ranchi and Jamshedpur conducted services while ensuring everyone adhered to safety protocols like wearing masks and maintaining social distance.
In Ranchi, the Easter mass was conducted in St Mary's Cathedral on Purulia Road, but no outdoor programme was held.
In wake of the rising Covid cases in Ranchi and other parts of the state, the Ranchi Archdiocese, under the Roman Catholic Church, had earlier called off all outdoor Easter programmes, including Thursday’s evening mass and Friday’s Easter Vigil, which were supposed to be held at the Loyola Grounds on Purulia Road.
The traditional Palm Sunday procession on March 28 had to be cancelled too as a precautionary move.
In Jamshedpur, members of Christian community offered special prayers in various churches on Easter Sunday and also visited cemeteries to remember their dear departed by offering flowers and lighting candles.
The Beldih cemetery at Bistupur witnessed a rush of the faithful since Sunday morning.
Catholics thronged the St Mary's Church in Bistupur, St George's Church in Northern Town and St Joseph's Cathedral in Golmuri, among others, to attend the special morning mass amid strict Covid-19 safety protocols.
Facades of parishes were adorned with decorative lights and altars were bedecked with flowers and messages. Easter hymns and songs were sung at the prayer services.
"Easter Sunday is the central religious feast observed by the Christian community. Christ was resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion and this signifies the concept of life after death. It means death is not an end," explained James Davis, a member of St. Joseph's Cathedral at Golmuri.
Bakeries across the steel city lined up Easter goodies, including cakes and fresh hot cross buns. Brown Bunch, a leading bakery in Bistupur brought out a variety of hard chocolates to prepare yummy Easter Eggs for youngsters.
The traditional Easter peace rally was, however, not taken out on account of the pandemic.
