But burning a relative on a funeral pyre is a centuries old practice among Hindus. The custom, in which a relative is placed on stacks of wood and lighted, is so deep rooted that many Hindus find any change in the method of cremation unthinkable.
This deep-seated culture is proving a big challenge for the Pashupati Area Development Trust that is planning to start an electric crematorium in the Pashupatinath premises soon. [break]
“I call myself a progressive man. I do tell people to change themselves according to time. I have many friends in the media circle. My answer should have been "yes" when you asked me whether I would choose electric crematorium,” said Govinda Rijal, an advocate. “But it´s a no. I would not like to take by brother to the electric crematorium for his last rites. Why all that transition? If there is a problem of pollution or space, the government needs to address it some other way,” he added.
For Rijal, it is not the matter of going scientific or remaining traditional. He argues that the feel or the sentiment associated with the ritual should remain unharmed.
None of the five families and relatives who were in Pashupati Aryaghat for the last rites of their departed members on Sunday welcomed the concept of the new crematorium.
According to Radha Dhital, people may take it easy until their loved ones are no more. “But when our loved ones die, all our feelings pour out for them and following the rituals no more feels like a burden.”
Dhital, who was in Aryagaht for the funeral rites of her sister, further said that the electric crematorium is a huge challenge to the Hindu method and should not be encouraged. “I have heard that the electric waves burn the body in seconds. Whatever, I do not think that is a good idea. I doubt it leaves any ashes to be thrown into the river, which is a very precious part of our culture. ”
Dr Govind Tandon, member secretary of Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADA), said that the Aryaghat in Pashupatinath has contained countless dead bodies so far and it is natural that people may not like it in the beginning. “The temple´s history is timeless and so is the history of the performing last rites here. But the concept of electric crematorium is not very new either. Had we been able to do it we would already have it long ago,” he said. “It was decided on 1984 but there are reasons why it could not happen.”
Tandon stated various reasons why people must opt for electric crematorium. Population influx in the capital, the growing scarcity of fire woods and increasing air pollution due to ever rising number of the dead bodies cremated in the Aryaghat leaves us with no choice but to shift to electric method, he said.
Electric crematorium to be less expensive
Tandan said one of the reasons why people will gradually embrace electric crematorium would be the budget factor. “Around 25 to 30 dead bodies are brought here every day. Many of them belong to very poor families that they find it hard even to pay for the ritual,” he said. “In such condition, they would rather be happy if they are to pay minimum for the process.”
Tandan informed that it costs around Rs 4000 to Rs 5000 of firewood, ghee and hey to burn a dead body. Registration charge is Rs 100. There might be additional costs.
“In contrast, people would be paying too less for the electric crematorium though it has not been finalized yet,” he said. “To burn a dead body, it normally needs around 50 kg of fire wood. It is not the matter of money alone, we save environment if we stop using the wood.”
Crematorium to begin operation in 6 months
The first electric crematorium in the country is being given finishing touches. The authority claims that it would run within six months.
“We are aware of the concern raised by UNESCO. It is about the height of the chimney at the crematoriums,” said Tandan. “However, we are in a state to tell you that it will begin to function in six months at the maximum.”
The authority is sending six people to Kolkata of India for necessary training to run the crematorium. Other preparations are setting up ´eye donation´ corner near the building, creating a garden around it and erecting walls.
“It should look beautiful and clean. People who come here with dead bodies would be motivated to donate the eye of the dead one. We are working in coordination with Tilganga Eye Hospital for this. We are even thinking of promoting donation of other body organs as far as possible,” Tandan said. He added that the total cost of the building alone is estimated at Rs 50 million.
Electric method to leave purer ash
According to Tandan, lack of awareness cause people to doubt whether they will get the ashes (astu) of the dead body after cremating them electronically. “In fact, I believe that it leaves even purer ash. When we go for traditional cremation, the ash that remains is a mix of fire wood, hay and other things,” he said. “But after electric cremation, a normal size human body leaves around 4 kg of ash. And that is certainly the purer.”
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