Palm Sunday observed in NE states with religious solemnity

AIZAWL/SHILLONG/IMPHAL/KOHIMA: Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and the day when Christ entered Jerusalem as a king, was observed across the northeast with religious solemnity and gaiety.
In Mizoram's capital Aizawl, children and adults alike took out Palm Sunday processions waving palm leaves, shouting "Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," and singing hymns on the streets.
Palm Sunday procession was held throughout the state organised by the local churches irrespective of Christian denominations.
Meanwhile, a 79-year-old woman in Serkawn village near Lunglei town in southern Mizoram walked an extra mile to glorify her Lord Saviour.
Akin to what some Jerusalem women did to Jesus thousands of years ago, Haungaii took out her best "puans", Mizo traditional wrap-around, and laid them on the road for Palm Sunday processionists to walk on.
"When Jesus entered Jerusalem, people spread their cloaks and palm branches along the way to honour him. Like them, I also laid by treasured 'puans' on the street near my house where Palm Sunday processionists would come," Haungaii, a widow, said.
As this was an unprecedented gesture, the processionists tried to avoid stepping on the cloth, but the woman told them to step on them.
In Meghalaya, Christians celebrated Palm Sunday amid spiritual solemnity and joy. In state capital Shillong, the faithful attended special services at various churches, carrying palm leaves.
Christians across Garo Hills began the annual holy week observance by celebrating Palm Sunday to commemorate the triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem by Jesus Christ. Holding palm leaves, devotees attended special services at various churches in Tura, Williamnagar, Baghmara and other towns and villages across the region. Special sermons were held in the various churches across Manipur on the occasion of Palm Sunday.
"Carrying palm leaves, we took out procession with chanting 'hosanna' through the streets of our respective local churches across the state in the early morning today," All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) president Rev Simon Raomei said.
Adviser and former president of AMCO, Rev Prim Vaiphei said he along with his local Christian members observed the day at KBC Church at New Checkon in Imphal East district. "After taking out the Palm Sunday procession, we carried out Palm Sunday celebrated in Nagaland
Churches across Nagaland celebrated Palm Sunday, commemorating the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem ahead of his capture and crucifixion. Palm Sunday service for the people was held across the state with the blessings of the palms and processions.
Taking to his Twitter handle, chief minister Neiphiu Rio said: "May the beginning of Holy Week bring blessings of renewed hope and purpose in everyone's life. I wish you all a blessed Palm Sunday and a meaningful #HolyWeek."
The Naga People's Front wished everyone a blessed Palm Sunday.