Photo credits: Ramesh Kidangoor

In Kerala, Palm Sunday is called Hosanna Njayar. Celebrated by Christians the world over on the Sunday before Easter, which fell on April 13th, in 2014. Churchs have special services and ceremonial processions attended by hundreds of believers carrying tender palm leaves to be blessed by the priests.

The blessed palm leaves are preserved in homes until the Ash Wednesday celebration of following year when the palm leaves are burnt to collect the sacred ash. A sign of cross will be marked on the forehead of Christian members of the community, marking the beginning of fifty days lenten fasting.