Christian community in city to celebrate Easter with faith, food & togetherness

Pune: The city's Christian community is preparing for a joyful day of worship, togetherness and festive food on Easter Sunday.Churches across the city expect large congregations, with parishioners returning in full strength to mark resurrection of Jesus Christ. "At St Patrick's Church, we expect a large turnout as usual," said Father Jason Chettiar. At the Immaculate Conception Church, popularly known as City Church, Father Mariano D'Silva said, "For many, Easter brings comfort, community, and celebration."Beyond the pews, households across the city are preparing for their own special traditions. "After mass, we come home to a lavish lunch with all the festive favourites, such as sorpotel, roast chicken, fugias, and sannas. After the grand gorging session, the whole family settles for a game of housie. That's our thing. Easter isn't complete without the whole family playing a couple of rounds to win as many Easter eggs as possible," said Grace D'Mello, a resident of Pimple Saudagar.Some families will head out to celebrate. "We've reserved a table for brunch this time. With our hectic schedules, dining out lets us enjoy the food without the stress—and the kids love the Easter eggs and treats and other activities to keep them engaged," said Neil Rodrigues from Kalyaninagar. Across the city, restaurants are embracing the season with Easter-themed spreads, drawing on centuries-old culinary symbolism.At The Square at Novotel Pune, Nagar Road, diners will be greeted with a festive brunch featuring poached quail eggs in spicy tomato sauce on parmesan nests, and smoked salmon on Melba toast. The Carving Station will serve a spread that reflects both tradition and abundance with honey-ginger glazed whole chicken alongside Easter bread pudding, garlic confit, braised red cabbage, mustard gravy, plum relish, herb butter, and roasted pumpkin.At Sheraton Grand Pune, Bund Garden, Easter delicacies will include classic comfort dishes such as salt meringue salmon with saffron cream and tarragon salsa, slow-cooked pork belly with apple star anise chutney and herb jus, spatchcock chicken with truffle rosemary jus, shakshuka, and parmesan-crusted country mash. Taking a more nostalgic route, Doolally Taproom, Koregaon Park, will offer a traditional brunch steeped in regional Easter flavours: Mangalorean chicken gassi, Goan fish curry, East Indian pork tamriale, devilled eggs with prawn cocktail, pork chorizo pulao, stuffed chicken roulade, sannas, and honey-roasted ham & cheese bites.Some bakeries have gone beyond the traditional Easter eggs to introduce other festive treats from across the globe. Alongside chocolate bunnies and pastel-wrapped eggs, Bakers Basket will offer Berliners, fluffy, jam-filled German doughnuts traditionally enjoyed in spring festivities in European countries. "Easter reminds us of everything that matters —faith, food, and family. It's not just about what's on the plate, but who's around the table," said Anita Pereira, a resident of Aundh.Pune: The city's Christian community is preparing for a joyful day of worship, togetherness and festive food on Easter Sunday.Churches across the city expect large congregations, with parishioners returning in full strength to mark resurrection of Jesus Christ. "At St Patrick's Church, we expect a large turnout as usual," said Father Jason Chettiar. At the Immaculate Conception Church, popularly known as City Church, Father Mariano D'Silva said, "For many, Easter brings comfort, community, and celebration."Beyond the pews, households across the city are preparing for their own special traditions. "After mass, we come home to a lavish lunch with all the festive favourites, such as sorpotel, roast chicken, fugias, and sannas. After the grand gorging session, the whole family settles for a game of housie. That's our thing. Easter isn't complete without the whole family playing a couple of rounds to win as many Easter eggs as possible," said Grace D'Mello, a resident of Pimple Saudagar.Some families will head out to celebrate. "We've reserved a table for brunch this time. With our hectic schedules, dining out lets us enjoy the food without the stress—and the kids love the Easter eggs and treats and other activities to keep them engaged," said Neil Rodrigues from Kalyaninagar. Across the city, restaurants are embracing the season with Easter-themed spreads, drawing on centuries-old culinary symbolism.At The Square at Novotel Pune, Nagar Road, diners will be greeted with a festive brunch featuring poached quail eggs in spicy tomato sauce on parmesan nests, and smoked salmon on Melba toast. The Carving Station will serve a spread that reflects both tradition and abundance with honey-ginger glazed whole chicken alongside Easter bread pudding, garlic confit, braised red cabbage, mustard gravy, plum relish, herb butter, and roasted pumpkin.At Sheraton Grand Pune, Bund Garden, Easter delicacies will include classic comfort dishes such as salt meringue salmon with saffron cream and tarragon salsa, slow-cooked pork belly with apple star anise chutney and herb jus, spatchcock chicken with truffle rosemary jus, shakshuka, and parmesan-crusted country mash. Taking a more nostalgic route, Doolally Taproom, Koregaon Park, will offer a traditional brunch steeped in regional Easter flavours: Mangalorean chicken gassi, Goan fish curry, East Indian pork tamriale, devilled eggs with prawn cocktail, pork chorizo pulao, stuffed chicken roulade, sannas, and honey-roasted ham & cheese bites.Some bakeries have gone beyond the traditional Easter eggs to introduce other festive treats from across the globe. Alongside chocolate bunnies and pastel-wrapped eggs, Bakers Basket will offer Berliners, fluffy, jam-filled German doughnuts traditionally enjoyed in spring festivities in European countries. "Easter reminds us of everything that matters —faith, food, and family. It's not just about what's on the plate, but who's around the table," said Anita Pereira, a resident of Aundh.