The Hindu Religion and Funeral Ceremonies

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sean_Redfearn]Sean Redfearn
Hindu Funeral Ceremonies In Varanasi, India
The Hindu religion carries a very different approach to memorials to western Christian countries. A trip to Varanasi in India is an extraordinary experience as funeral ceremonies are performed out in the open on burning ghats near the holy river Ganges.
The funeral ceremony in Hinduism involves the cremation of the body, that is burned on a fire next to the river. After the body has been cremated the remaining ashes are placed into the Ganges and allowed to be rinsed away by the water. It may be a shock for western individuals to Varanasi to see such an openly displayed cremation, and it is very likely that they will see the body being burned, but it is a ritual that has been happening for 1000's of years and will carry on being performed for many more years to come.
In Varanasi the body is paraded through the streets of the old city by the Chandals, a Hindu caste. This is followed by the deceased's family and close family friends, who will be chanting and praying as the follow the body. The body will then be taken to the burning Ghat on the banks of the nearby River Ganges.
The cremation itself  takes place on a Shmashana, which is the Hindu name for a cremation ground. The chief mourner has to get the sacred fire from the Dom, which is the man responsible for the fire. The body is then cremated on a wooden funeral pyre, which is lit from an eternal flame, this flame is kept burning by the Don Ropas. Some of the burning ghats in Varanasi have fires that have apparently been kept a light for over two thousand years.
Many Hindu's believe that dying in Varanasi and being cremated at the ghats will let them attain Moksha, the release from the cycle of rebirth. Many Hindus in the last years of their life come to Varanasi to live out there final days before being cremated at the ghats. You will find guest houses especially for the aged and dying in Varanasi which help to prepare the old for their cremation ceremony.
To find out more on the Hindu religion and how the cremation of a loved one is performed at Ghats then consult a Hindu specialist today who will be able to provide help and guidance in the strictest confidence.
To learn more on [http://torontocremations.com]Toronto cremation and [http://torontocremations.com]toronto cremations then make contact with us today. We are experts on all aspects of cremations and burials.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Hindu-Religion-and-Funeral-Ceremonies&id=6634236] The Hindu Religion and Funeral Ceremonies