Thiruvananthapuram, March 20 (IANS): Churches in Kerala on Sunday were crowded on account of Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

From Sunday to March 27, which is Easter Sunday, most of the Christians, even those with little devoutness, will turn vegetarian as that's the tradition.

"While I observe the 50-day Lent in the way it should be done, my husband does not. But during the Passion Week he cooperates with us and also turns a vegetarian," said Mariamma John, a homemaker, here.

Lent is a period of solemn Christians observance of about six weeks before Easter Sunday. And Passion Week is the period from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.

The Passion Week has special significance for Catholics who account for about half of 61.41 lakh Christians of Kerala.

In churches across Kerala on Sunday, palm leaves cut from coconut trees are being distributed to the faithful to commemorate Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed in his path, before his arrest and crucifixion on Good Friday.

"We have come back from the church carrying the palm leaves which we place it in front of the picture of Christ. The general practice is to return these leaves to the Church on Christmas Eve, when they are used to make a bonfire at a special place in the church," said Mary Thomas, a devotee.