Palm Sunday was celebrated in all parts of Mizoram with religious fervour on Sunday to commemorate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem ahead of his crucifixion.
Children of different churches held Palm Sunday processions in the early morning. They came out to the streets in towns and villages carrying palm leaves, chanting ‘Hosanna’ and singing songs to remember and celebrate Jesus’s triumphal entry to the holy city.
The processions held by respective churches were also joined by some adults. Palm Sunday procession and chanting “Hosanna” by children in the early morning form an integral part of Palm Sunday celebration in Mizoram. Special church services and prayer services were held, besides singing Christian hymns by local churches of different Christian denominations across the state.
Different churches preached sermons related to Palm Sunday, which is locally called “Tumkau Ni” and some local churches also held congregational singing services called “zaikhawm” on the occasion. Special teas were served by churches as part of the celebration.
According to Biblical teaching, Jesus Christ rides into Jerusalem on a donkey on the last Sunday before his crucifixion.
The crowds spread their cloaks and palm leaves on the street and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” to honour him as their long-awaited Messiah and King.