The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!',"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!", "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9 (NIV)) Across the globe, thousands will carry palm fronds to celebrate the day Jesus entered Jerusalem before he was crucified and resurrected. And the churches across Kerala will reverberate with the prayerful chant of 'Hosanna' on Palm Sunday which falls on March 20 this year. Known as 'Kuruthola perunal' or 'the Osana perunal,' the festival is celebrated with a religious fervor by one and all. According to the gospels, his followers covered Jesus' path in palm fronds as he entered Jerusalem. Those days palm fronds were used to welcome the nobility and waving them also signifed victory. The followers chanted the word 'Hosanna', which in Aramaic means to 'save' as He passed through the streets. Palm Sunday commemorates this triumphant entry of the Lord to Jeruselem. It also marks the start of the Holy Week for those who profess the Christian faith across the globe. In many churches across the world, the palm leaf is twisted into the shape of a cross to commemorate the day. Some congregations in Kerala keep this palm frond at home and burn it on Ash Wednesday next year. Also read [To the Basilicas this Easter](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/getting-around-kerala/to-the-basilicas-this-easter-kerala-travel.html) [In the footsteps of St Thomas](http://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/essential-kerala/in-the-footsteps-of-saint-thomas.html)

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