Hindus reach India from Pakistan with 400 urns containing ashes of relatives for immersion in Ganga

For the third time since Partition, a group of Hindus from Pakistan has arrived in India, bringing nearly 400 urns containing the ashes of deceased Hindus. Their wish is to immerse the ashes in the sacred waters of the Ganga at Haridwar, according to ToI report.

Additionally, they hope to receive permission to visit Prayagraj for a holy dip during the Mahakumbh. Many Hindus in Pakistan cherish the desire for their ashes to be immersed in the Ganga after their passing. Ram Nath Mishra Maharaj, the mahant of Shri Panch Mukhi Hanuman Mandir in Karachi, shared this sentiment upon his arrival at Attari on Monday.

Alternatively, their relatives often wish to fulfill this sacred obligation on their behalf. As a result, the ashes are preserved in ‘kalash (urn)' at temples, and once a substantial number is reached, efforts are made to obtain Indian visas so that the final wishes of the deceased or their families can be fulfilled, informed Ram Nath Mishra.


He further said he was carrying approximately 400 urns for performing the last rites of the deceased Hindus from Pakistan.

Vijay Sharma, general secretary, Sri Devothan Sewa Samiti, Delhi, who, along with a dozen others, arrived at Attari to receive the urns brought from Pakistan, informed that from Feb 4 to 21, these urns would be kept at Nigam Bodh Ghat, Delhi's oldest and largest cremation ground, for the public to pay their respects.

On Feb 21, the urns would then be taken to Haridwar, following Vedic traditions, and immersed at Sitaghat in Kankhal on Feb 22, accompanied by a ceremonial offering of 100 kg of milk.

The Pakistani Hindu group has been granted visas to visit Lucknow and Haridwar. Ram Nath Mishra expressed hope that their visas would be extended to allow them to visit Prayagraj for a holy dip at the Mahakumbh, a long-cherished dream for many.

In previous instances, Hindu groups from Pakistan arrived in India in 2011 and 2016, carrying the ashes of 135 and 160 deceased Hindus, respectively. "This marks the third visit by a Hindu group bringing ashes for immersion in India since 1947," said Ram Nath Mishra.

Vijay Sharma urged the Indian government to grant visas to Pakistani Hindus wishing to perform the last rites of their loved ones in Haridwar. He added that they would continue to push for this demand through all available platforms.