All You Want to Know About Easter 2024!

All You Want to Know About Easter 2024!

Infotel India are proud to be part of an inclusive and diverse employment group, and we embrace opportunities to celebrate all cultures in our workplace.

As we recently recognized the colorful Holi Festival in both our UK and India offices, let’s take a look at all you need to know about Easter 2024!  

Easter 2024 falls on Sunday March 31, 2024, also known as Resurrection Sunday. The observation date keeps changing since it is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of a full moon day that occurs on or after the vernal equinox, between March 22 and April 25. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion, and in the UK, it is popular to organise Easter egg hunts and time to hang out with friends and families for a lunch get-together. Like Christmas, Easter has roots in both Christianity and ancient cultures.

History of Easter

The English word “Easter” comes from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Other historians claim that the word derives from albis, a Latin phrase that’s plural for alba, or “dawn.” Besides its significance as a Christian holy day, most of the traditions they follow in Easter celebration have strong roots in ancient celebrations—the ancient goddess Eostre and the Jewish holiday of Passover. Easter is the last day of the Holy Week, comprising several days in the middle, each with its own significance. Those include:

Palm Sunday – Celebrating when Jesus entered Jerusalem.

Holy Thursday – Celebrating the Last supper and washing feet.

Good Friday – Reflecting upon Jesus crucifixion and death.

Easter Sunday – Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

Why do we Celebrate Easter?

Easter is celebrated to observe the sacrifices of Jesus Christ, and people will go to church services and pray in observance. We encourage employees in all subsidiaries of our offices, be it India or France, to fully take the opportunity to respect traditions that matter to them. Easter eggs also derive from Christian traditions. Eggs were used for thousands of years to signify the new beginning and hope.

During ancient times, the old Christian communities in Mesopotamia would stain eggs red to represent the blood of Christ, shed at the time of the crucifixion. The origin of the Easter bunny also took place with the arrival of spring, the blooming of flowers, and the birth of young animals, denoting the importance of hope and rejuvenation. German Lutherans used an Easter hare for the season of Easter, like the Santa Clause role during Christmas. The rabbit, known as “Oster hase” or “Oschter Haws,” would gift baskets of toys and candy to the kids the night before Easter.

Easter in India

In India, the major followers of Christianity belong to the states of Mumbai, Goa, Kerala and the north-eastern states of Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. Although in India, people do not follow the tradition of colouring eggs, everyone is aware of this tradition and ensures to buy them from local stores to gift their kids. Exchange of gifts and blessings is common in India, which is followed in the same way for Easter too. Few choose to fast; few choose to be vegetarian on this holy day. Skits/Plays will be performed by children and adults in their churches depicting the characters from the Bible. India is known for its diverse set of people embracing all religions; people of various other religions too join this Easter celebration along with their family and friends. This mirrors the cultural diversity of India, acknowledging and celebrating events like Easter is a wonderful way to foster inclusivity.

During Easter, we embrace moments of joy, indulgence, hope and extending love to all

May your Easter, regardless of how you observe it, be filled with relaxation, happiness, and optimism for what lies ahead.