Christians across the state observed Maundy Thursday or holy  Thursday to remember the Last meal Jesus had with his disciples

According to tradition maundy Thursday is also called Holy Thursday and is the first day of the last three days of the Holy Week which includes the evening of Holy Thursday Good Friday to Easter Sunday. It is a period that traces the final days of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection from the dead. Each day is traditionally marked with a particular liturgy. The events of Jesus Christ’s final day on Earth are reenacted on only Thursday. In the evening, the Church commemorates the Last Supper, which Jesus wished to have with his disciples before he offered himself as a sacrifice for human salvation. The Christians consider this meal as the institution of the Holy Eucharist, also known as the Lord’s Supper or Communion . Jesus and his disciples gathered in a house in Jerusalem for the Last Supper, where they dined covertly.

Some 2000 years back according to historians and religious scholars At the Last Supper, Jesus broke a piece of bread, and says “This is my body,” He also pours wine, saying, “This is my blood.” He then asks the disciples to do this in remembrance of him ” And he did the same with the cup after Supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood poured out for you Through the above words, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that his death and sacrifice were made for our redemption.

Holy Thursday is also associated with ritual of washing of the feet. Jesus took a basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples According to myths, metaphors, foot is a symbol of respect, reverence, and subservience, and feet washing and anointing is an act of humility and love. Jesus meant to teach humility and selflessness to his followers and, through them, to everyone. This is the epitome of “servant leadership.” Jesus teaches his disciples to serve and to love one another, particularly those in need in our world today.

Maundy Thursday services in the church frequently end with the sanctuary being stripped in complete silence and in a slow, deliberate manner. The custom dates back to the seventh century and was initially used to clean the sanctuary in time for Easter, when everything is renewed. But through time, the ritual evolved into a separate ceremonial function.

Communion utensils, tablecloths, pulpit and lectern hangings, and all other liturgical items are meticulously removed in silence to dramatise the emptiness, abandonment, and gloom of Jesus Passion and death. The sanctuary remains bare until the beginning of the Easter celebration. At the end of services, everyone leaves in silence.