Why do we cremate in Varanasi?

The Hindu people believe that dying and being cremated in Varanasi and having their ashes rest in the Ganges will bring them salvation/nirvana, thereby breaking the cycle of death and rebirth. Many Hindus travel to Varanasi when they begin to have bad health so that they may have their last days in their holy city.

How much does it cost to cremate someone in India?

While calculation of the exact cost is not possible, on an average (across religious affiliations), about ₹8,000–₹10,000 rupees is the minimum amount spent only on cremation/burial of the deceased relative.

What does India do with cremated ashes?

Hindus and Sikhs will dispose of the remaining ashes in a river. Many shmashana are therefore built near the banks of a river to allow for easy access, but many well-off families often travel to a sacred city along the banks of the river Ganges, such as Hardiwar or Benares, for the final rituals.

Which is the cremation ghat in Varanasi?

Manikarnika Ghat
Manikarnika Ghat (Hindi: मणिकर्णिका घाट) is one of the holiest cremation grounds among the sacred riverfronts (ghats), alongside the river Ganga, in the city of Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In Hinduism, death is considered as a gateway to another life marked by the results of one’s karma.

Where do they burn bodies in Varanasi?

For those living in or visiting Varanasi, an awareness of death is unavoidable. Indeed it is the main economy of the city. Every day at Manikarnika Ghat, the largest and most auspicious cremation ghat, around 100 bodies are cremated on wooden pyres along the river’s edge.

How much does a dead body cost in India?

Burials are cheaper as they don’t require wood. Also, most burials are done under the auspices of a mosque or a church, with little scope for extortion by middlemen. “Burial charges may have gone up from Rs 3,000 to maybe Rs 4,500-5,000 now.

How do Hindu cremate in USA?

Traditionally, the cremation ceremony involves a ritual burning of the body, attended to by a Hindu priest and male family members. Sometimes guests attend the ceremony, too. The ‘last food’ is offered and the cremation takes place with flowers arranged around the body.

How many cremation ghats are there in Varanasi?

There are around 88 ghats (sets of steps leading to the river bank) situated around the Ganges, with 2 being specifically used for these cremations.

Does your belly button burn when you are cremated?

The ashes that remain are collected in vessels made of brass or clay ! Many may not know this, but the belly button of the deceased never burns to ash, it remains hard and in the same shape that it adorns the human body.