Asthi visarjan, also known as "bone immersion," is a Hindu ritual where the ashes of a deceased person are immersed in a sacred river or body of water. Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, and it is believed that immersing the ashes of a deceased person in the holy waters of the River Ganges in Varanasi can bring liberation or moksha to the departed soul.
Many people visit Varanasi to perform asthivisarjan and perform other religious rituals for their deceased loved ones. The process of asthi visarjan in Varanasi involves the immersion of the ashes in the Ganges along with certain prayers and offerings to the gods. The ritual is usually performed by a Hindu priest, who guides the family through the process.
The belief is that by immersing the ashes in the holy river, the soul of the deceased person is released from the cycle of rebirth and attains salvation. The ritual is considered an important part of the mourning process and is believed to bring peace to the departed soul and comfort to the bereaved family.
Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is considered as city of Moksh and it is believed that whoever dies in Kashi get relieved from cycle of birth and death. This is the main reason that during the last stages of their life people come to Varanasi and remain in the city till their last breath. Also if a person died outside Kashi but his or her asthi were taken to Kashi and immersed in Ganga he or she will definitely attain salvation.
The story behind this firm belief is as follows:
It is said that once there was a Brahmin, he was living with his wife far from Kashi and he never followed any of the Hindu ritual which is necessary for a Brahmin. Once he was wondering in the forest when a tiger attacked him and killed him. A vulture was watching all this and waiting for tiger to leave the place so that he can also eat the remaining flesh. After eating his food tiger went away leaving some uneaten flesh and bones at that place. Now vulture picked a piece of his flesh and flew in the sky. At the same time messengers of Yam Raj came there and took the soul of that Brahmin with them to the hell. There Yam Raj decided to punish him for not following any of the Hindu ritual in his life time and sentenced him. Meanwhile the same vulture was flying over the river Ganga in Kashi with the piece of flesh in his mouth and accidently some parts of that flesh fall in the river. Same time in the Yam lok, where execution of that Brahmin was going on, angels came from heaven and informed Yamraj that they came there to take that Brahmin with them to heaven as his mortal remains( asthi) has been immersed in Ganga and he has now attained Moksh. It is only because of asthi visarjan in Ganga at Kashi all the sins of that Brahmin faded away and his soul attained peace and salvation.
This is the reason why people want that after their death their cremated remains should be immersed in Ganga at Kashi and thousands of people take the cremated remains (asthi) of their family members to Kashi after their death and perform the procedure of asthi visarjan. It is believed that the river Ganga possesses the power to wash all kinds of mortal sins and give Moksh to the soul.
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We can arrange the Asthi Visarjan in Varanasi or Kashi without any hassles. Kashi situated on the banks of river Ganga is considered to be the best place for AsthiVisarjan. We arrange the Asthi visarjan in Varanasi as per request of our customers and the priest we select for Asthivisarjan are well known Pundits of Varanasi. During Asthivisarjan all the materials and boat service will be arranged by our local priests and Asthi visarjan will be carried out at Ganga Ghat of Kashi.
It will take around 1 hour to complete the asthivisarjan rules and rituals. Timing starts from 7 am in the morning till 6 pm. You will have to come to Ganga ghat. First asthipujan by priest at ganga ghat and then visarjan in the middle of the river through boat. We have three packages for Asthivisarjan
Cost of asthi visarjan in Varanasi is around Rs2000/ which includes priest charges, material charges and boat charges. Famous ghats for asthi visarjan in Varanasi are Raj Ghat, Manikarnika ghat, Assi ghat and Dashaswamedh ghat. Performing asthivisarjan at any ghat is equally important.
Asthivisarjan should be done within 10 days of death of a person but many people who are far from Varanasi keeps ashes with them till they get time to come to Kashi for Visarjan. Asthi visarjan rules includes – taking bath after asthi visarjan process and it is better be on fasting before performing Asthivisarjan. Many people believe that ladies cannot perform Asthivisarjan process as it is to be done only by male member. But this is not true. Asthi visarjan is generally done by eldest son of deceased person but in case there is no male member available, daughters or any ladies can perform the Asthivisarjan.
It is important to note that the exact process of asthi visarjan may vary depending on the region, community, and family customs. The general traditions include abhishek of mortal remains though water or ganga jal and milk. Priest also offer flowers and fruits and then do the aarti of asthi kalash and finally Sankalp with name and gotra of deceased person. After the puja, taking asthi in the middle of the river through boat and immersing in the river.