Lucknow: It was a live show of diversity at the Easter procession in the city on Sunday as Christians swayed to the tunes of festive songs with colourful dandiya sticks to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
More than 1,000 people were part of the United Christian Easter procession that began from Central Methodist Church at 4.30pm and culminated at St Joseph’s Cathedral. Along the way, people sang hymns and even danced to the beats of bhangra. People associated with various churches across the city came together for the event.
Dandiya was performed by members of Emmanuel AG Church, Aashiana. Olin Joseph, a member, said, “Our church has various people from the Sindhi community. Every year, they dance to the beats of Garba. This time, we celebrated with dandiya to show our love for Jesus Christ”.
According to Rev Dr Donald HR DeSouza, chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Lucknow, more than 4,000 people take part in the celebrations of Christ’s rebirth every year at St Joseph’s Cathedral.
Six-year-old Jeana Joseph distributed sweets among onlookers, greeting them with “Hallelujah, Christ has risen”. Children carried banners of all sizes, preaching teachings from the Bible.
Young and old danced on the chords of guitar, banjo, dhol and nagadas.
Non-Christian believers such as P Sehgal, a retired government servant who has been visiting Lucknow during Easter for 10 years prayed in the church on Sunday. Suman, an entrepreneur from Gomtinagar, took part in the procession.
“Easter Sunday starts with visiting the church. A breakfast arranged by the church follows. I am a member of the English Methodist Church, where children perform songs and hymns. In the afternoon, we visit our friends and relatives over lunch and assemble in the evening in the church for a short prayer service,” said Anita Samuel.
Churches across the city were decorated with lights and flowers. Believers lit candles and prayed for the welfare of mankind.