Fusion of faith & festivity marks Easter in Kolkata
Times of India | 21 April 2025
Kolkata: From late-night vigils to afternoon rally, from special prayer services to family get-togethers, Kolkata celebrated Easter with a vibrant fusion of faith, food, and festivity. The Easter Walk, which started at 3 pm on Sunday from various churches, saw parishioners from different congregations. The walk congregated at St James' Church, where a programme with music, hymns and prayers took place.
Bakeries were abuzz as people waited for their turns to pick up Easter goodies. At Lord Jesus Church on Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road, there was an Easter vigil at 2 am to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus. "In the morning, we had an enactment of Jesus in our midst, and an Easter rally at 3 pm, which started with a prayer service," said Father Dipak Gomes of Lord Jesus Church.
Special Easter Mass started early on Sunday. Many churches organised multiple masses. "We had four Holy Mass services on Easter morning preceded by the Easter Vigil Mass, which began at 11 pm on Saturday and continued till 1 am," said Father Naveen Tauro of St Teresa's Church, Moulali. Father Swarup of St Andrews Church, BBD Bagh, reminisced about the Easter traditions in his childhood, which had special significance in the city's suburbs.
Bakeries in the city saw rush of customers. "We received an order for 3,000 fruit buns. Our bakery has been packed with customers since Friday, with fruit buns being the highest selling item," said S K Parvez Rahman of Imperial Bakers & Confectioners at New Market.
At Dariole, chocolate eggs and hot cross buns took the centre stage. "There was an increase in parcel orders by 10%," said Debasish Ghosh, general manager of Speciality Restaurants Ltd. Saldanha Bakery off Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road also saw a surge in Easter customers. "Our sales increased by 20% compared to last year's," said Debra Alexander of Saldanha Bakery.