Bhaktisandesam / UK River blessed with Ganga-jal.

[Guest guest]

Ash Immersion At UK River Gains Popularity

 

ENGLAND, March 4, 2006: More than 30 funerals a week are being

carried out on the River Soar after it was blessed with water from

the sacred Ganges. Families from America, Italy, Germany and France

are now coming to Barrow-upon-Soar for the ritual scattering of ashes

of loved ones. The practice is traditional for Hindus, Sikhs and

Jains who are using the Soar as an alternative to the Ganges in

India. Community leaders have now called for a temple or shrine on

the banks of the river. Frank Reeves, of Barrow Boating, has a

special funeral boat to carry out the services. It is decorated with

pictures of the Indian Gods, such as Lord Ganesh, traditional

religious colors and has a sound system to play appropriate funeral

music. He said: " The interest has been incredible. In our busiest

weeks, we are doing up to 30 services and we are getting a lot of

international interest. " The special boat just seemed like a natural

idea to improve the experience for the families. We can get a funeral

party of 12 on and we can make sure it looks exactly as the family

want it. We have a few elephant models as they are sacred animals.

It's really up to the individual families. " We've talked with the

priests who come for the funerals and they have told us what is

appropriate. " Mr. Reeves said he is getting more and more inquiries

from Christian families looking to hold a river funeral. Charnwood

borough councillor Amrat Bava, of Loughborough, said: " In Hinduism,

many people have a last wish to have their ashes scattered in the

holy rivers in India but that is not always possible, so I am not

surprised he is doing well. " What is really important is that flowing

water is used, which takes people to the ocean. Many Hindus consider

all flowing water to be connected. " I think this is popular because

it has been properly sanctioned by the water authorities. " Vijay

Lambachia, secretary of Loughborough's Shree Ram Krishna Temple,

said: " In India, many of the crematoria are on the side of the rivers

so ashes can be directly scattered. I would perhaps like to see a

small temple or shrine on the banks of the Soar so we could do that

here. If we could find the land it is something I would think the

Hindu community would pay for. " The idea of scattering ashes in the

Soar caused controversy when it was first suggested with critics

claiming it could pollute the waters. The practice was investigated

by the Environment Agency which concluded it was safe, provided only

organic material entered the waterway.

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Leicestershire news.

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Jai Shree Krishna!