Easter is a festival of rejuvenation of life and living. Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion on Good Friday. The term ‘Easter’ was first used when Christianity was introduced to the Saxons. Prior to this time, the Saxons had held an annual feast in honour of the ancient Teutonic goddess of spring, Eostre. The name was transferred to the Christian observance of Christ's resurrection. 

Easter is a joyous, happy day. In earlier times Christians celebrated the resurrection every Sunday with a special emphasis on the Sunday closest to Nisan 14. To settle this difference, in AD 325, the church fixed the date of Easter on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox on March 21. Easter Sunday moves between March 22 and April 25. 

There is usually a midnight mass on Easter. Easter marks the end of the period of Lent, the fast is broken on this day. Before breaking the fast, Christians go to church for Holy Communion. The gift of the chocolate-crusted Easter egg to children at home is a ritual that is widely followed. 

The Easter bunny has its origin in the pre-Christian fertility lore. The hare and the rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season. The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have its origins in Germany. 

Easter does not have the kind of cross-religious involvement that Christmas does. But it is celebrated all over the country, especially in Christian homes. In Mumbai, Goa and the North Eastern states the festivities are elaborate.