Easter — March / April - Creative Travel I A family story since 1977

Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, and for Christians around the world, it is the most sacred day of the year. Its date shifts annually, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, which places it somewhere between late March and mid-April.

The weeks leading up to it, collectively known as Holy Week, begin with Palm Sunday and pass through the solemnity of Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion, before arriving at the joy of Easter morning.

In India, Easter is observed with particular warmth in Goa, Kerala, Mumbai, and the northeastern states of Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, where Christian communities run deep. Churches are decorated and filled for services throughout the week, and the reading of the Gospels draws families together in reflection.

On Good Friday, many churches dim their lights and hold afternoon services of quiet mourning. In parts of India, a bitter ceremonial drink made from local leaves and vinegar is shared after the service, a sensory reminder of the suffering remembered that day. Easter Sunday itself brings colour back: processions, church celebrations, the exchange of gifts, and in many communities, colourfully decorated eggs given to children.

Sri Lanka, home to a significant Catholic and Protestant population, also marks Easter with church services, family gatherings, and a festive spirit that cuts across communities.

For visitors, Easter here is a reminder that faith, wherever it takes root, grows into something distinctly its own.