Easter also called Pascha is one of the most important festivals of Christians. A holy festival, Easter is celebrated by the Christians who have faith that Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day after his crucification. Commonly termed as a moveable feast, Easter festival follows the cycle of the moon and falls each year at some point between the late March and late April.

Literally Easter festival refers to the season of the church year called the Easter Season or Eastertide. According to old traditions the Easter Season lasted for the 40 days from Easter Day till Ascension Day. But, nowadays Easter lasts for the 50 days until Pentecost. The first week of the Easter Season is called the Easter Week or the Octave of Easter. Easter festival also mark the end of Lent (a season of prayer and penance), or the arrival of the spring season after the chilling months of winter.

History of Easter
Like several other Christian festivals, Easter festival has also ancient pagan roots and a blend of Pagan, Hebrer and Christian traditions. Easter festival itself incorporates pagan symbol of fertility through the Easter eggs and Easter bunny. Historic record says that initially there was a great disagreement about the Easter day. Finally after centuries of disagreement, all churches accepted the computation of the Alexandrian Church and first Sunday after the first 14th day of the moon was declared the Easter day.

Easter has connection with the Jewish Passover due to its symbolism and its position in the calendar. The chronology in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:17; Mark 14:12; Luke 22:7), says that the Last Supper shared by Jesus Christ and his disciples before his crucifixion is considered as a Passover meal.

Easter Celebrations
The celebration of the Easter festival is known for merry-making, fun and enjoyment. Though Easter is mainly a Christian festival but a number of non-religious cultural elements have become part of the festivity.

Nowadays the festival is celebrated by Christians and as well as non-Christians with great enthusiasm. People celebrate the festival by exchange of greeting cards, sweets and confectionery such as chocolate, Easter eggs, Peeps, marshmallow bunnies and jelly beans.

Easter Date in 2008
27th April