New Delhi: In a moment of profound spiritual and emotional significance, the ashes of 400 Pakistani Hindus, which had been kept in urns at the Hindu crematorium in the old Golimar area of Karachi for years, finally reached India on Monday via the Wagah-Attari border. After an eight-year-long wait, the families of the deceased can now fulfill their final rites by immersing the ashes in the sacred waters of the Ganga in Haridwar.
The journey of these ashes, marked by bureaucratic delays, religious perseverance, and a deep yearning for closure, was made possible due to the special visas issued by the Indian government during the Maha Kumbh Yog, a rare celestial event that occurs once every 144 years.
For decades, Pakistani Hindus have struggled with challenges regarding the final rites of their loved ones. While cremation is permitted in Pakistan, many believe that immersing ashes in the Ganga is essential for the soul’s salvation, as per Hindu religious beliefs. However, due to diplomatic hurdles and visa restrictions, many families have been unable to transport the ashes to India, leaving urns abandoned in crematoriums for years.
Suresh Kumar, a resident of Karachi, shared his own painful experience. His mother, Seal Bai, passed away on March 17, 2021. The family had applied for Indian visas soon after her demise but faced repeated delays in getting approval. “We had almost lost hope, but when we heard about the special visas being issued during the Maha Kumbh, we decided to try again,” he said.
For many families like Suresh’s, this was their first chance in years to ensure that their ancestors’ souls found peace. Without a visa, some might have been forced to immerse the ashes in the Sindhu River in Pakistan, but for devout Hindus, the Ganga remains the first and only choice.
Before the ashes were transported to India, a grand prayer ceremony was held at the historic Sri Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple in Karachi on February 2. Devotees, relatives, and religious leaders gathered to pay their final respects. The temple committee, which played a crucial role in securing the visas, arranged the Asthi Kalash Yatra, a procession that carried the urns from the temple to Karachi’s Cantonment Railway Station.
Many families who had been waiting for years came forward to send the ashes of their loved ones. Among them were Sahil Kumar and Komal, whose parents were siblings and had passed away within a span of two months. Due to financial constraints and visa issues, they had been unable to send the ashes to India earlier. “This was our last chance, and we couldn’t miss it,” said Sahil.
The ashes were carefully packed in white plastic jars with red lids instead of traditional clay urns to prevent breakage during the long journey.
From Karachi, the urns were transported via train to Lahore. At the Wagah-Attari border in Amritsar, Indian authorities and Hindu religious organizations received the ashes with due reverence. The urns were then placed in an ambulance, which would carry them to Haridwar, where they would be immersed in the Ganga.
This is not the first time such an event has taken place. In 2011, a similar initiative saw 135 urns being transported to India, followed by 160 in 2013 and another batch in 2015. However, this year marked the largest single transfer, with 400 urns making their final journey home.
Shri Ram Nath Mishra, President of the Sri Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple Committee, played a crucial role in organizing the transfer. He had previously visited India for similar immersions, but this time, the scale was unprecedented. “It took years of effort, but it is our sacred duty to ensure these souls find peace,” he said.
The immersion of ashes in the Ganga is considered one of the most significant Hindu funeral rites. It is believed that the holy river, which originates from the Himalayas, carries the souls of the departed towards salvation (moksha). Many Hindus, even those living outside India, hope to have their last remains immersed in the river.
This deep spiritual belief is what motivated families in Pakistan to wait for years, rather than compromise by immersing the ashes in local rivers. “The Ganga is not just a river; it is a divine entity that purifies the soul,” explained Mishra.
Upon reaching Haridwar, the urns will be kept at a temple for two weeks. Special prayers will be conducted every day until the immersion is complete. Since this event coincides with the Maha Kumbh, the prayers are considered even more auspicious.
Many of the families who sent the ashes from Pakistan will not be able to attend the immersion ceremony in person. However, the temple committee and Indian religious organizations have assured them that proper rituals will be followed on their behalf.
For some, this moment is bittersweet. While they are relieved that their loved ones’ final rites are being fulfilled, the fact that it took years of struggle highlights the challenges faced by Pakistani Hindus.
This event has once again brought attention to the difficulties faced by Hindus in Pakistan regarding funeral rites. Many religious and human rights organizations have called for a streamlined visa process that would allow Pakistani Hindus to bring the ashes of their relatives to India without years of delay.
As this historic Asthi Kalash Yatra reaches its conclusion in Haridwar, it symbolizes both the resilience of faith and the enduring hope of a community that refuses to let borders come between them and their traditions.
For now, the families can finally find solace in knowing that their loved ones have completed their final journey home.
