There are many places in India for this rite. Which will be the best ?
-Puri is nearest to me. But it is said that Asthi visarjan is best done in the Ganga river.
-At Puri, there is a confusion-whether to do it at ‘Swargadwar’ or at ‘Sweta Ganga’
I am thinking of two options- Prayagraj (as the three sacred rivers meet here), and Puri. Kindly guide me in this regard.
Asthi visarjan is done to ensure that nothing remains of the departed one’s mortal body as it may act as a means to pull the soul back creating a difficulty in the journey after death.
Sagar or the ocean is regarded as a form of Ganga herself. That is why the name Sagar after the king who initiated the Ganga avataran project. Besides Puri is a specially blessed place, a special kshetra. It will be the best for you.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
Follow up question:
It comes to my mind that whether we bury the body or put it in fire or do visarjan in water, the bones /all the bones do not get destroyed.
Yes but they go into the wide material world which the disembodied vital cannot anymore get in touch with. Keeping at home is to literally invite them.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
Actually, these questions are making me restless.
As I contacted a priest from Puri, he said that asthi visarjan is done at Sweta Ganga. It is a pond near the Sri Jagannath temple which is sacred and is believed to be some way connected to Ganga. After the ritual, we need to go to the temple, give brahman bhojan, and receive blessings.
But so many questions perturb me. Most people here prefer Prayag.The Sweta Ganga’s water does not flow like a river.It is not a very wide water body like an ocean. As you said, the remains are to be scattered in a large material world. But in this case, it is a pond. I would like to know whether it will be perfect to perform the ritual here.
I don’t think it is a good idea to do asthi visarjan in a small or big pond. If the priest is unwilling to do it in a river or the ocean then better to do it in the Ganga.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
