Cremation Events in Hinduism
Hinduism is said to be the third largest religion in the world. Most of the rituals in Hinduism are not fully known. In this article I will explain about the various rituals that people – death beliefs do before and after death. Every human being must die after birth. However, Hindus believe that death is only for the body. The soul in the body is reborn in a different form after death. Hindus believe that after the death of a human body the soul in it goes out from the top of their head. After that the soul is born in a different form. Those other forms could be anything, be it human, animal, worm or plant. The sciences laid the foundation for reincarnation in the belief that when someone in the family dies, the soul of the deceased reaches another body. That is why many sects of Hindus perform funerals and “shraddha rituals” in different ways. Cremation events among Hindus are mainly divided into three parts. 1). Funeral by family members 2). Cremation / burial program 3). “shraddha rituals” However some people do this in accordance with their methods.Rituals after death In Hindu traditions certain types of rituals are performed by a priest when there are indications that death will occur in a few more moments. Ganga water or basil water is poured into the mouth. After death the body is placed on the grass mat on the ground. The head is seen to face east. A lamp is lit upon the head. In this case the family members read the verses and offer prayers. In the Hindu tradition, there are two types of rituals performed after death. In this, the Shaiva sects (those who have different namas on the forehead) i.e. the devotees of Shiva, perform a kind of action. Then there is the difference in the practice that Vaishnava devotees (those with vertical namas on the forehead) perform after cremation by the devotees of Vishnu. Let us know the full details about these.1). Devotees of Shiva – cremation events After the death of someone in the Shaiva family, a kind of peace ritual is performed on the third or fifth day after the cremation. For this the ashes are first collected from the cemetery and stored in a pot. The elder in the family then places some ashes on a betel leaf or a banana leaf and prays. Fresh flowers and milk are then sprinkled on the ashes, camphor is lit and the ritual is completed. The deceased lays a wreath on the photo and makes a fuss in front of the photo. The rest of the ceremony will be held afterwards. The ashes are made to flow together into a flowing river or seawater. Shaiva’s believe that it is better to bury the ashes of the dead in the ground in their personal garden.31st Day Celebrations The ceremony is usually held on the 16th, 21st or 31st. After the cremation, the 31st day of the festival is traditionally celebrated near the house. Prior to the ceremony, a Shaiva priest is invited and cleansing pujas are performed all over the house and the premises. The area is consecrated for the conduct of ceremonies. Meals are served to relatives and family friends. Family members carry out some memorial services in the name of the deceased to resume social life.Mourning days are common in case of accidental death, sudden death or suicide. But in the third month, special “shanti pujas” are performed to bless such people.Anniversary Tithi Celebrations This is an important annual event held in Shaiva rituals. It is celebrated in the same way as the “Anteysti celebration” celebrated by the ancestors. This ceremony, called the Last Sacrifice, symbolizes the funeral rites of the Shaivites. This Thiti ceremony is very important for conducting religious activities for the deceased. Extensive rituals are performed for the dead as well as for all the ancestors. According to their custom, death is not only for the body but also for the soul. Therefore, they burn the body of the deceased. But there is an exception in the case of young child deaths. On the third day after the cremation, the ashes are collected and dumped into the sacred waters where the major rivers and streams of the country meet.Vaishnavism (those with vertical nama’s on the forehead)Vaishnava’s bathes in the constantly flowing river, lake or well water after cremation. • Put black sesame seeds in a pot and announce Tilanjali. After these activities the Neem leaf is chewed before entering the house. Sprinkle cow urine and self-purify. Cow urine is poured into the palm and drunk like ‘tirtha’. After touching sacred objects such as water, cow dung, white mustard or fire, a stone is placed on the steps and the house is set on it. Then half-cooked white rice prepared in the neighborhood is brought to the house of the deceased and offered on a banana. First to the house goddess (Vastu goddess), then to the main goddess , and the rest are eaten together.(Those with vertical nama’s on the forehead) Vaishnava’s follows some strict rules. Of whom women in particular do not perform mourning rituals not only for their parents but also for the parents on their behalf. Women do not carry out such activities because they change their home tribe after marriage. And those who are responsible for the days of mourning do not take forbidden food, salt and alcohol until 6 or 10 days of mourning. Do not use perfumes. Bathing is practiced every day. They do not cook at home, they bring food from the house of acquaintances. Do not engage in recreation yet and lie on the floor. Such strict rules must be followed until the tenth day of the ritual. However, due to changing social conditions, the rules of mourning are strictly enforced for at least three days if not observed for ten days.(Vaishnavism) Rituals with vertical nama’s on the forehead: – 1). The sacrament is performed as part of the purification program. 2). “Agni karma” is performed in the name of “shanti homa” for peace of mind for the dead. 3). “Ananda homa” is done to get a happy life after death. 4). The “sapindikarana” is performed as a ritual to meet with the ancestors through the transformation of the deceased. 5). Thirteenth day ritual: Offerings are made to 9 planets. All the descendants of the deceased are bathed and put on new clothes. On the same evening friends and relatives are invited to the banquet. 6). As part of the ritual days, at least five major donations are made. Among them are sesame, clothing, gold, water pot, coconut and cow. Here a cow or its equivalent price is donated. Some people donate 10 items or 16 items depending on their affordability. 7). Donations of 10 items: Land, sesame, gold, ghee, clothing, rice, jaggery, silver, salt, go – danam or coconut and cow’s equivalent price are also considered to be the most excellent donations.In Vaishnavism (those with vertical nama’s on the forehead) the bones or ashes of the deceased are collected on the 3rd, 7th or 9th day and mixed in a stream of water before the tenth day.Especially in Vaishnavism the “pinda danam” and water are offered daily to the dead person. The pindam is given water every day in the belief that it will give form to the formless soul. Thus the tenth pindam is presented on the tenth day. It is traditionally believed that offering a pinda danam like this every day helps the deceased to form an organ every day. In this pindam offering the pindam is mainly divided into four parts. The first part is dedicated to the angels, the second part to the spirit, and the other two parts are dedicated to rebuilding the “soul” body of the deceased. Their belief is that in three days and nights the soul enters a new body. Finally on the tenth day the pindam is specially offered on the tenth day in the belief that the embodied soul is looking forward to food in a new form. After the ritual performed on the tenth day the soul departs to the patriarchal world so sandals and umbrellas are donated to accompany them. The soul travels comfortably due to all the donations made on the 11th day. So everyday items like sandals, umbrella, cow, silver, gold, lamp, book and bell are donated. The ritual performed on the 12th day is very important. Called “sapandikarana sharadam” it is of great importance. It is believed that doing this ritual brings together three generations of ancestors in the patriarchal world. Depending on the rituals performed up to the 11th day, the fetus is considered to have been given to the spirits. But on the twelfth day the ritual is performed as if the pinda danam had been presented to the patriarchal world. Events that last up to 11 days are called evil days. The 12th day is called “Karma Shubhadinam”. On the 13th day the house is cleansed for the ceremony and the homa and the holy text are performed. From today onwards, everything will be fine. Vaishnavism believes that the souls of the dead go to Yamaloka on the 13th day. For these 13 days the family is unclean. They do not participate in any activities and do not even eat sweets. But on the 13th day of the event, sweets are sure to be served to everyone, who also eats sweets that day. Since the dead have done so much work and sacrifice for themselves, in these ceremonies their descendants perform all the last rites and pray to God to bring peace to their soul.Events – Clothing Naturally it is becoming a tradition for everyone to wear white along with the family members who attend these events and rituals. Once upon a time black dresses were worn exclusively for such events, but over time white became the omen that everyone, regardless of whether they were or not, wore white.Things not to do in the ritual program # It is polite to attend such rituals at the right time. These should not be attended to late. # Do not wear unusual and obscene clothing. Must have a good idea of what to wear to be dignified in such places. # As far as possible it is advisable not to carry a mobile while attending such events. Mobile should be used in “No Sound” mode if required. # Do not forget the intention of losing a family member in a family and sharing with the emotions they are experiencing. # Pay tribute in the right way. # “Shraddha rituals” should be controlled. If someone is crying loudly in that case, cry if you also cry and do not pretend to cry. # Usually do not take small children to such events. If necessary, find seats in a separate area. Do not cause inconvenience to others. Hearing cries there, your children are more likely to be confused. # Do not behave ignorantly in these programs. Try to be close to the family members of the deceased. Also do not discuss unknowns about the dead. # Be gentle with everyone who attends this event. Do not succumb to strange emotions. # Inappropriate selfies and snaps are useless. Behavior should be contextual. So everyone should realize that this is not the case for taking selfies photos.