(From top) A devotee dressed as Jesus Christ re-enacts the crucifixion on Good Friday in Guwahati; people take part in processions at Agartala and Aizawl on Friday. Pictures by UB Photos and Zodin Sanga

April 18: The Northeast today observed Good Friday with prayers and services.

Good Friday is a day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

In Nagaland, thousands of people congregated in different churches and offered prayers. Special mass prayers were also held at the Cathedral at New Ministers’ Hill in Kohima.

Shops remained closed while streets in the Nagaland capital were empty.

Usually the holidays start from Good Friday and end on Easter Monday with rejoicing and celebrating Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

Special church services were held from noon to 3pm, which is believed to be the time when Christ was crucified.

In Meghalaya, solemn services and prayers marked the occasion. Since morning, people belonging to various Christian dominations thronged churches to take part in the sombre services. Over 400 faithful from Sawsymper, Mawkyrwat, Upper Shillong and other parishes took part in the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, Nongkrem.

During the Holy Week on Wednesday, a group of Catholic faithfuls belonging to St Monica’s Prayer Group Sawsymper (SMPGS) undertook a pilgrimage to Nongkrem in East Khasi Hills.

Along with the rest of the world, Mizoram, too, observed Good Friday to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Special worship services were conducted in the churches across the state.

The largest denomination, Presbyterian Church, organised prayers and worship services and the priests performed Mass in different local branches of the church.

Braving a scorching sun, the Roman Catholic members took out Kross Kawngzawh or a procession of the Cross and held a Mass to commemorate the sufferings of Christ.

During Lent, a period of 40 days before Easter Sunday, hundreds of devotees went to Kalvari Tlang on the outskirts of Khawruhlian village, about 87km from Aizawl, to pay homage to Christ. Kalvari Tlang is a recreation of Mount Calvary.

Built by the Roman Catholic Church, the place has a replica of the road Jesus took with the Cross, the Golgotha where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where his body was laid.