Hindu funeral rites to be done at temples

The country’s largest Hindu organisation, the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS), says that in keeping with strict government guidelines to limit the spread of the coronavirus, all of its religious rites involving open bodies of water such as a river or the sea will be done indoors under the guidance of pundits.

The SDMS, in a press release on Monday, said it is advising its members that in funeral rites, the observance of Dasgatra (the shaving ceremony), done ten days after the disposal of a body, will continue, but not at the place usually set aside for the ceremony – a body of open water.

The Maha Sabha’s Pundits Parishad met with the Dharmacharya (spiritual leader) on this issue. It was decided that the Dasgatra ceremony will be done in the yard of a designated temple, subject to government guidelines on the number of people allowed to gather – five.

The temples available for this ritual are:

Temple – President – Contact No.

El Dorado Shiv Mandir – Nirmala Maharaj – 689–6539

Orange Valley Vishnu Mandir – Rohan Kodai – 750–3559

Esperance Vishnu Mandir – Donel Jugmohan – 380–0572

Chandrashekar Vishnu Mandir – Jaipersad Roopnarine – 708–6584

Pt Fortin Hindu Mandir – Ivan Ramdeo – 384–1158

Those who wish to use the facilities should contact the relevant personnel at each mandir.

A time will be allotted for the ceremony, the shaving/cutting of hair and bathing should be done at home before arriving at the temple, and one person, accompanied by the Naaw and the Mahapatra, will be present for the performance of the ceremony.

The Mahapatras whe are recognised by the SDMS for performing these rites are:

East/west: Pt Ramesh, 392-7498

South: Pt Mohan, 768-4148; Pt Shastri 361-6104; Pt Roshan 378-9126; Pt K Maharaj, 690-1171; and Pt Chaitram Hargobin, 358-1818

Central: Pt Chandreka Mahadeo, 777 – 3307.

The ban on using or gathering at bodies of water in public places was announced last week by National Security Minister Stuart Young.

As well as the Maha Sabha, the representative bodies for the Orisha and the Shouter Baptists have said they will follow the government’s guidelines.

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"Hindu funeral rites to be done at temples"

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