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The festival of Easter is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus
Christ after crucifixion. It is one of the holiest Christian festivals. The
Easter Day also traditionally heralds the advent of the spring season after the
gloomy months of winter. As such Easter festival is associated with joyous
merriment and gaiety.
Like many other Christian festivals, Easter has also emerged from ancient pagan
roots. It is an amalgamation of a myriad of Pagan, Hebrew and Christian
traditions. Easter incorporates pagan symbology of fertility in the shape of the
Easter bunny and Easter eggs. The name of the festival, Easter, itself may be a
offshoot of Eostre, pagan Goddess of Spring.
Notwithstanding the religious flavor, the celebration of Easter festival
transcends the confines of Christian church. Easter celebration has always been
synonymous with merry-making and enjoyment. Because of this aspect, the recent
years have witnessed increasing commercialization of the Easter festival. Today
during Easter holidays, sale of greeting cards and confectionery such as
chocolate Easter eggs, marshmallow bunnies, Peeps, and jelly beans prove to be
big hits.
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