Cremation Services in Bangalore or Antim Sanskar is one of the practices which have been part of the tradition here. The Garden City of India, Bangalore follows a traditional and culturally elaborate way of performing the final rites for the dead. Now, it is about time that we gave some attention to certain areas of traditional cremation services in Bangalore.
Preparations for Cremation
When somebody dies, the family begins to arrange how the deceased will be cremated. They wash their bodies and change their clothes or dress them up in a new white dhoti. It is then placed on a bamboo stretcher and positioned in a confrontation with the North. The bier is also drawn with a sheet draped over it, the sheet is white.
The local priests are called to perform the rituals as per Hindu customs after the death of a person. The dates for the cremation are then determined considering the favorable horoscope for the occasion. The obligatory and other offerings that are made include food grains, clothes, and other materials.
Many members of the family get together at home to pay their condolences and assist in the planning of the burial. Other important members of the family also come to the house to try and support the family during the trying time. The environment inside the house is gloomy because most visitors come to the home to pay their respects to the deceased.
What are the rituals performed before cremation?
On the day of cremation, priests come in with items of cremation before the body is taken away for cremation. Burying rites are then performed, and pooja or prayers are said to restore good tidings for the soul that has passed on. Contemporary religious songs and Mantras from Ramayana and Bhagavad Gita are sung.
At noon another ritual called Holi ahuti or fruits, flowers, rice, and coins are put into the sacred fire for the gods. After that, family members and close relatives perform the pind daan by placing small rice balls and flower balls into the mouth of the deceased as the last meal.
Once rites are completed, white flowers are placed on the body. Unmarried men of the family then lift the bier onto their shoulders and carry it out of the house. Elder family members, women, and priests follow alongside as the procession makes its way to the cremation ground.
It is a tradition in some communities that all those following the procession maintain silence till the body is laid on the funeral pyre and lit. Some even observe fasting on the day.
Exploring The Grounds For Cremation Services in Bangalore
Bangalore has many designated cremation grounds located on the outskirts of the city. The largest ones are in areas like Mavallipura, Banashankari, and VV Puram. These grounds have designated areas where cremation services in Bangalore are carried out daily as per schedules.
The Yelahanka and Jakkur wooden crematorium is one of the oldest facilities in Bangalore that continue traditional cremation methods. Located on the northern outskirts of the city, they see patrons who wish to carry out the final rituals as per conventional practices.
Chamarajpet Wood Cremation Services is another option to enjoy the ambiance of wood-fired pyres without having to step out of the city precincts. This is due to the vast compounds that allow them to stage and perform events just as described in religious books.
Located opposite Banashankari Temple, it becomes easily approachable for people living in and around Banashankari as they don’t have to travel a long distance in a mournful state of mind.
At the cremation ground, final rituals are done by priests before the body is placed on the funeral pyre. Ghee or clarified butter is poured on the body as part of the rituals. Family members then light the pyre from the feet towards the head of the deceased.
Children and close relatives then circle the burning pyre as a final goodbye, and priests continue chanting prayers. As the body is fully engulfed by flames, the son or a close male relative of the deceased shall break a coconut, signaling the end of the cremation ritual.
The ashes and remaining bones are collected once the fire has completely gone off. They are immersed in a nearby water body like rivers or lakes as per tradition. Done only after taking a ritual dip, this last rite is called Asthi Visarjan.
Changing Traditions
While older citizens still strictly follow age-old customs, traditions are evolving for the younger generation in cities. Nuclear families have led to a decline in joint families playing a key role in last rites. Crematoriums managed by civic bodies now offer priest services and other facilities.
The dedicated team of priests at this crematorium ensures ceremonial requirements are fulfilled seamlessly so that grieving families can find solace in rituals being done faultlessly.
Their combination of experience and modern amenities make Chamarajpet Wood Cremation Services a suitable pick for people of all faiths seeking a traditional send-off in a respectful environment within city limits.
Closed structures such as electric crematoriums or those operated by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) are quickly replacing open-air pyre systems. Cost reduction is faster here taking only 1-2 hours compared to the conventional one that took 4-6 hours. Wood is used less and pollution done is much less compared to the regular way of doing things.
But the latter believe that rituals are ceremonies and their importance is linked with sacred teachings of religions. The functions that are peripherally associated with feelings of logistics and facilities have been in a state of micro-evolution, but deeply embedded human practices that held the promise of ensuring the salvation of the soul and closure for a beloved have not been wanting for cremation services in Bangalore.
How have modern cremation practices impacted traditional beliefs in Bangalore?
Here are some ways in which modern cremation practices have impacted traditional beliefs in Bangalore:
- Reduced reliance on rituals: The switches from electric and gas crematoriums have seen people spend less time on the rituals before and even during cremation.
- Less supervision of priests: Especially in conventional cremations, the priest’s specialists had a tremendous job in supervising the whole procedure to follow the regular rituals.
- Individualization of practices: Due to increased nuclear families, and introduction to other cultures, people now pick aspects of rituals according to personal belief and not full adherence to the practice.
- Decline in joint family system: With changing times, the joint family structure, which used to be an essential part of funeral rites, is disappearing.
- Less public grieving: In the modern accomplishment environment, sorrow and rites are confined and forbidden from featuring the public in most cases.
- Flexible timings: There is no longer any need to go through complicated astrological calculations to find the right time.
- Reduced environmental impact: Modern burning methods have solved most of the pollutive problems that traditional burning of wood used to cause.
Thus, in conclusion, it is still going on that the fundamental notion and acknowledging of tendencies existing in ancestors remains unchanging, however, the tradition of the cremation services in Bangalore is undoubtedly fading due to modifications of cremations’ complexities and social transformations. Some traditions specifically practices previously followed are epitomizing the change in a new moving world.
With traditional practices facing challenges to keeping up with modern lifestyles, Beleiv Funeral Service strives to offer facilities that honor long-held customs more conveniently for families.
