Ghats: Looking at Death

Yesterday was one of those special days for many devotees in this Hindu religious society. From early morning at the Pashupatinath (Pash Pattie) Temple they came to pour water from the river, scatter seeds around the temple grounds in the belief that the souls of the departed will receive salvation.

For at this temple every day the smoke of death can be seen. For here right in the heart of the city is its main cremation site and in keeping with tradition and belief right beside the river which eventually will wend its way to India and join with the great and holy Ganges. In fact it’s on the tourist trail. After the various temples and squares your taxi driver will take you here to see the body being placed on the pile of wood and the fire lit by the eldest son of the deceased. When the fire has consumed all then the ashes will be swept into the river for the long journey south.

By contrast in the west death is rarely spoken about and often hidden. Even spiritual conversation is viewed as not very PC. Perhaps its because in our materialist and individualist society we don’t want to be reminded that wealth, fame, possessions and education are for one life alone. Far too many of us do not have a faith to prepare us for death. In the Bible St. Paul says: “ Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?”

But in this society where faith is always nearer the surface we are reminded death is not the end. We need to put our trust in God not in ourselves.