Are you looking for a detailed guide on Asthi Visarjan? In this guide, we will be covering all the important details including the meaning of Asthi Visarjan, and its importance in Hinduism, and also discuss the rules and procedure for this final rites.
So, why it is important to understand the meaning and importance of Asthi Visarjan in Hindisum? Some people lack knowledge and resources and are thus unable to understand its real importance. Particularly, people who are living outside of India.
So, let us first look at the meaning of Asthi Visarjan and later we will dive into other important details.
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Asthi Visarjan meaning in English
Asthi Visarjan in English simply means the “immersion of the ashes” of a person’s cremated remains in the sacred river. If you separate the words, the first term “Asthi” means ashes, and “Visarjan” refers to immersion or scattering.
As per Hindu Belief, Asthi Visarjan is the last rite of funeral ceremonies in which the ashes remains of a deceased body are scattered and immersed in a sacred river like the Ganga.
This last practice is done as per Hindu tradition in many important places in India signifying the Hindu belief of life, death, and rebirth.
Some of the important places for Asthi Visarjan include Prayagraj in Allahabad, Gaya in Bihar, Haridwar, and many other sacred places across India. We will talk more about the places later in this post.
Once covered the meaning. Now, let us understand the importance of Asthi Visarjan in Hinduism.
Importance of Asthi Visarjan (Last Rites)
In the Hindusim, Asthi Visarjan holds an important part of the funeral rites for the peace of the soul of a deceased person. As mentioned above, this last funeral ceremony signifies the sacred Hindu belief of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Here are some main importance of Asthi Visarjan:
- For the release of the soul from the physical form to transition peacefully for the cycle of rebirth.
- The sacred water signifies a medium through which this transition can be possible and this is why the ashes are scattered in the holy river. River is one of the five elements and holds importance in the Asthi Visarjan ceremony.
- Asthi Visarjan marks the final step to the funeral rites. It signifies the mourning period for the family and friends as a final farewell to the departed.
- It is a very important practice for the liberation (moksha) of the departed soul in Hindu practice.
- This also symbolizes the Hindu belief of Karma and Dharma. Asthi Visarjan is a dharma of every Hindu and expresses the true meaning of positive Karma.
- With this Good Karma, the family is believed to prosper in life with good health.
- Asthi Visarjan as a sacred practice also signifies the connection of nature. The ashes remains of the departed soul are immersed in water connecting the physical remains back into the natural world. Fire is for the purity of the departed soul and water symbolizes the transition and connection to nature.
- Asthi Visarjan holds the Religious and Spiritual Significance of the continuity of life beyond death. The procedure is the expression of this faith as per Hindu tradition.
- This also symbolizes a sacred duty of every individual of the living towards the deceased for peace of the soul. Asthi Visarjan also signifies the expression of love, respect, and gratitude of the family towards the departed soul.
7 Famous Places for Asthi Visarjan in India
Asthi Visarjan is performed at different pilgrimage sites across India. These places due to their religious and cultural significance hold importance for Asthi Visarjan.
Pleaces like Prayagraj, Varanasi, etc are very significant for Asthi Visarjan.
There are many important places for Asthi Visarjan in India, those places are listed below:
1. Prayagraj: It is located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, and is widely popular for funeral ceremonies. This place is very important from a Hindu religious point of view.
The city is also famous for the tri-river, Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati. And, together the meeting of these rivers is famously known as Triveni Sangam.
And, this is why the place holds importance for the Asthi Visarjan and other funeral rites.
2. Varanasi: Popularly known as Banaras or Kashi, another city situated in Uttar Pradesh that is very significant for last rites. The city is located on the bank of the Maa Ganga River.
The city is full of ghats, some of the famous ones are Harishchandra Ghat and Manikarnika Ghat. These are the ghats where the last rites are performed as per Hinduism.
People across the world visit this place for the funeral ceremony. The place is also famous for travelers and people from different countries visit this place to learn more about Hinduism and culture.
3. Haridwar: Another city from Uttrakhand where the Maa Ganga river is present. The place is famous for Har Ki Pauri ghat where Asthi Visarjan is done.
You will see people from different places visiting this place for the divine atmosphere and peace. The city is pure and you can feel peace in the air. There are many famous Hindu Temples located in the city.
Haridwar is also famous for the Maa Ganga Arti. People gather at the Ganga ghat, particularly in the evening to perform and participate in the Sandhya Arti.
4. Rishikesh: At the fourth spot comes a holy place from Uttarakhand where the Maa Ganga river flows at the heart of the city. This place like other places is very important for Asthi Visarjan and Hindus.
5. Gaya: A town from Bihar very famous for pind daan and funeral ceremony. At the heart of the city flows the Holy Falgu River. At the Falgu ghat, the last rites are performed as per Hindu Culture.
There are many various destinations and Temples in Gaya where a funeral ceremony is performed. The city is famous for Vishnu Pad temple where pind daan is done.
At a distance of 10 Km, the city has a beautiful place called Bodhgaya, where lord Budha got enlightenment. Pind daan is also performed at different places in Bodhgaya.
6. Nashik and Trimbak: The two places situated in Maharastra where people perform Asthi Visarjan. At the banks of the Godavari River is located Nashik, a venue for Kumbh Mela.
Whereas Trimbak, another place near Nashik is famous for the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple. The Godavari River makes these places a religious destination for Asti Visarjan.
7. Kanyakumari: A beautiful city located in the southern part of India. We are talking about Kanyakumari, a place situated in Tamil Nadu, India.
A city where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean meet making this an important place for Asthi Visarjan.
The city is known for its divine environment, and natural beauty and is famous for The Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue.
Asthi Visarjan Rules and Procedure
Asthi Visarjan is performed in a very strict religious manner as per Hindu tradition. Some rules and processes are very important to follow before performing this religious practice. Some of the rules and procedures for Asthi Visarjanis are listed below:
The water body: For Asthi Visarjan a river is very important and people need to be aware of these rivers. As mentioned above, the river is one of the 5 important elements for the purity of the soul after death.
Rivers like the Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, and others are commonly known for Asthi Visarjan. However, some people perform Asthi Visarjan as per the belief in their local places, mainly because they are unable to visit or because of their local beliefs.
Container for Ashes: Ashes after the cremation are kept usually in a small earthen pot. These pots are covered with clothes and decorated as per Hindu tradition.
Asthi Visarjan: The ashes in the earthen container are poured into the water body as per the rules wearing traditional attire.
Asthi or the ashes can be poured or spread and it depends on the belief of the person who is practicing or as per the guidance of pandits. At this time flowers and other religious things are offered on the water.
Puja: Puja is an integral part of every Hindu religious practice including Asthi Visarjan. The typical puja includes performing prayers with reciting mantras, offering flowers, doing Hawana, etc in traditional clothing that generally includes Dhotis.
The puja is performed as part of Asthi Visarjav practice to get the blessing and for the peace of the soul.
It is important to note that these are some of the general rules and procedures that may vary based on the individuals or as per the local belief. Asthi Visarjan is generally performed under the guidance of pandits wearing traditional attire.