Christians in the city began the annual Lent season with prayers on Wednesday. The day marks the beginning of the 40-day long fasting observed by the believers of Christ. Over the years some Christians have started practicing prayer services – Deeksha – in white uniform. The Deeksha begins on Ash Wednesday. Priests bless devotees and mark the cross on the forehead. The ash is prepared by burning the Palm Leaves of the previous year’s Palm Sunday prayer services, the Sunday that falls before the Easter, the day of resurrection of Jesus after crucifixion.