Procedure for Asthi Visarjan: Everything You Need to Know

by Akmal
Asthi Visarjan

Losing a loved one can be one of the most challenging experiences in life. Hinduism recognizes this and has developed a beautiful and respectful way to honour the deceased and allow them to rest in peace. Asthi Visarjan is a ritual that involves the immersion of the mortal remains of a person in a body of water, usually a river or ocean. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to Asthi Visarjan, including its meaning, preparation, procedure, and significance.

What is Asthi Visarjan?

Asthi Visarjan is a Hindu ritual that involves the immersion of the mortal remains of a person in a body of water. The term “Asthi” refers to the bones, while “Visarjan” means immersion. The ritual is an important part of Hindu funeral traditions and is believed to be necessary for the soul of the departed to rest in peace.

Preparation for Asthi Visarjan

Before the Asthi Visarjan, there are a few things that need to be done. First, the ashes or bones of the deceased must be collected and placed in a container made of clay, brass, or copper. The container should be covered with a lid, and a coconut should be placed on top of it. The coconut symbolizes the human head and is believed to be a protector against evil spirits.

Next, the family members of the deceased should take a holy bath and wear clean clothes. They should also abstain from eating meat and alcohol during the mourning period.

Procedure for Asthi Visarjan

On the day of the Asthi Visarjan, the family members of the deceased should go to a river or ocean. They should carry the container with the ashes or bones and a few other necessary items. The necessary items include:

  • Flowers
  • Camphor
  • Ghee
  • Milk
  • Honey
  • Gangajal (holy water from the river Ganges)

Once they reach the water body, the family members should take a dip in the water and pray to their ancestors. After the prayer, they should light a diya (lamp) using ghee and camphor and offer flowers to the deceased. The container with the ashes or bones should be opened, and the remaining items should be poured into it.

The family members should then pour the ashes or bones into the water, saying prayers for the departed soul. The immersion should be done in a manner that the ashes or bones do not touch the ground before entering the water.

After the immersion, the family members should take a dip in the water again and offer prayers to Lord Varuna, the Hindu god of water.

Significance of Asthi Visarjan

Asthi Visarjan is believed to be an important ritual for the soul of the departed to rest in peace. It is believed that the ritual helps the soul attain salvation and break the cycle of rebirth. The immersion of the ashes or bones in a holy river is also believed to purify the soul.

Facts

Here are some facts about Asthi Visarjan:

  1. Asthi Visarjan is a Hindu ritual that involves the immersion of the ashes of a deceased person in a body of water.
  2. The ritual is performed to honour and pay respect to the departed soul and to help them attain moksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
  3. Asthi Visarjan is usually performed within 10-12 days after the death of the person, although there is no specific time or day to perform the ritual.
  4. The ashes of the deceased person are collected after their body has been cremated and placed in a biodegradable container made of clay or earthenware.
  5. The container is taken to a body of water, where the person performing the ritual offers prayers and makes offerings to the deceased person before immersing the container in the water.
  6. The offerings made during Asthi Visarjan include flowers, camphor, ghee, milk, honey, and Gangajal, which is water from the River Ganges.
  7. The items used in Asthi Visarjan are believed to have to purify. Cleansing properties and are offered to the deceased person to help in the purification of their soul.
  8. Asthi Visarjan is primarily a Hindu ritual, but people from other religions can also perform the ritual if they wish to honour their loved ones in this way.

Conclusion

Asthi Visarjan is an important Hindu ritual that is performed after the death of a loved one. It involves the immersion of the mortal remains of a person in a body of water, usually a river or ocean. If you are willing to learn about Vishnu Puja you can visit the 99pandit portal. The ritual is believed to help the soul of the departed attain peace and rest. The preparation and procedure of Asthi Visarjan involve various items and prayers, and it is essential to perform them with respect and devotion.

FAQs

Q. Is there a specific time or day to perform Asthi Visarjan?

A. There is no specific time or day to perform Asthi Visarjan. However, it is generally done within 10-12 days after the death of the person.

Q. Can Asthi Visarjan be performed if the person was cremated?

A. Yes, Asthi Visarjan can be performed even if the person was cremated. The ashes of the person can be collected and used for the ritual.

Q. Is Asthi Visarjan only performed by Hindus?

A. Asthi Visarjan is primarily a Hindu ritual, but it is not limited to Hindus. People from other religions can also perform the ritual if they wish to honour their loved ones in this way.

 

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