Another World With Different Rituals
Although you could capture a the deepest emotions in one place, taking photos at a funeral is a big no where I come from. I mean there's no written rule regarding the matter, but that is a time of grief, that must be respected. I wouldn't dare taking photos and would look with strict eyes at someone who would take photos. However, this may not be the case everywhere in the world.
The last photo exhibition I visited, by Botond Nagy, had a whole section about cremation in India. Cremation is done all over the world, but in a different way and I'd be curious to know if there's another country, where cremation is done like in India.
Hindu rituals after death, including Vedic rituals after death, are ceremonial rituals in Hinduism, one of the samskaras (rite of passage) based on Vedas and other Hindu texts, performed after the death of a human being for their moksha and consequent ascendance to Svarga (heaven). Some of these vary across the spectrum of Hindu society. source.
You can read more about the Indian ritual here.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 1
It took me a few seconds to realize what I'm looking at here as first the orange color and flowers was that caught my attention. Than I saw there's someone deceased to be carried on their last road.
From photographic point of view, this is an amazing shot, shot from a very good angle. Most likely the camera was on the ground, or close to the ground.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 2
Even though I've seen documentaries about cremation in India, it's still the first time when I see detailed photos like this.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 3
Reflection was pretty strong here, but you can see the meaning of the photo. Looking at how close the photographer was to the people, I'd say they were ok with the photo being taken. Look at the framing, it's fantastic in my opinion.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 4
Contrary to how it's done in our culture, this operation is carried out by family members and friends. So no matter how deep your grief is, you still have to be strong enough emotionally to do it.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 5
Here you can see that the photographer was in the boat with the family, so he had their permission.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 6
Following the ritual for them is not only normal, but also a must I think. However, for someone coming from a different culture, where cremation is done by specialized companies under totally different circumstances, seeing this can be challenging emotionally. In Europe you don't see the process, you say your final goodbye and prayers, then the company takes care of the rest, behind closed doors. When it's done, you are given an urn and you take home the ashes. You don't see a burning body your whole life, unless there's a fire somewhere but that can leave you with emotional scars for your whole life as it's a traumatic event.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 7
While I was writing this post, was thinking if I would participate in such a ritual, if I had the occasion. Knowing the culture a little, lets you know what to expect, but still, knowing and being there are two different things and you only know how you feel, if you're in it.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 8
Unfortunately these two photos were pretty dark, taken at night, so this was the only angle for me. Both photos are showing the burning process and most likely for me, as a person coming from a totally different culture, this part would be the most difficult.
But looking at the matter professionally, just as emotions have no place in trading, if this would be a job for you, you should put your emotions aside and take the photos.
Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 9
I hope I'm right but I think these guys are selling wood for the cremation. I've seen in tv that close to the cremation or burial ground, there are people selling wood. Next to them must be the scale, which looks ancient for me, but it serves the purpose I'm sure of that.
I've never been to India and even though it is on my list to visit one day, most likely it won't happen anytime soon. However, if I'll land in India, I won't stay away from this place. Most likely what I will see is going to affect me, more than I can imagine, but I'm not going to miss it. It's part of the culture, so I'll have to see it.
I know we have a lot of users from India, so if you're one, please share your experience, tell me if you cremate those who leave this world and if you do it like this. Would be interesting to know. Drop a comment please and let us know.
For those of you who are not familiar with how burial and cremation is done in Europe for example, let me explain the process in a few words. There are companies specialized in this, they take the deceased, prepare them for the funeral, they organize the wake, they have special room for this and if you opt for cremation, that is their job to organize too.
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hello @erikah
as per hindu mythology it is believed that soul of dead body refuse to leave, after living in the body for such a long time.
this is why deceased body is Buried,so that soul depart the body.
'm happy to know that you thought to visit to India in future, Varanasi is historical place, even near to hometown 😜
Interesting. I didn't know that. I'm learning a lot though these comments and there's something new every day.
Yes one nice day I'm going to visit India 😄
fantastic feeling to know people from different countries are interested to know more about india's culture....
What a beautiful art! I love to see it. Thanks for share with us
My pleasure.
Outstanding photographs from a photography standpoint. The subject is difficult. Funerals are so emotional. And many Western people keep their emotions private. I wonder if the physical rituals of a cremation like this one would help processing the loss? seems like it would.
We agree on that, the photographer did an excellent job.
Well, who knows, but if this is the ritual, you have to follow it. They are used to it, this is normal for them :)
Rama nama satya he
Hari nama satya he
Absolutely, you even get to know more when you are there.
This arts are beautiful
Experiencing things live is always a different thing.
You know, this is one of my dreams. I would love to travel around the world taking pictures of different cultures. Capture the very essence of the human being and its religions and culture. Your comments in my post are missed 😊
You can still achieve your dream, nothing is lost. Never too late I believe.
Well, your comments on my posts are missed too, although I think this is the first comment from you, if I'm not mistaken 😊
thank you so much. It's not the first 😊. I like reading your posts, you always bring up an interesting topic, although it is true that I am always very busy these days I have had some small obligatory vocations.
Nice shots @erikah. And yes we in Suriname perform almost the same rituals as in India. The science behind our cremation is that our body is made from 5 elements and as a person lives there are 3 sub elements, so after death we must find a way to give back the 5 elements to mother earth.
We know 4 ways of doing this:
PLEASE NOTE: We have to go with the rules of every country and see if any of them are allowed. In Suriname we are allowed number 1 and 2.
You have no idea what a big help you are regarding this topic. You always explain the culture to me and help me understand what I see. Thank you so much @suriclicksmedia!
So if you don't mind my asking, which one is the custom in your family? Cremation or burial?
No i'm grateful to you for your help. Whenever i get the oppertunity i'll try to learn you more about our culture, tradition and more.... Make sure you put Suriname also on your list and come visit us.
We are using cremation...
I have been to the ghats at varanasai, it has to be the most magical mystical mesmerising places I have ever been too, from the night time celebreations of Mother ganga, to funeral pyres. It is an assault on the senses. These snaps you have shown us bring back vivid memories. Awesome photographers
You're a lucky person then. Seeing photographs or videos is one thing, but being there in person and seeing all this with your own eyes is a totally different experience.
thank you, yes the trip I took in my brain it is ranked at No1 of my exploits,
Another set of impressive photographs that you share with us, dear friend @erikah I love these jobs and this time Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi 1 captivated me 😍
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Indeed it was a wonderful exhibition, full of interesting photos. You chose a nice one. I like that. Have a nice evening my dear friend 🤗😘
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Wow!... This really is a great documentary my friend @erikah!... I know and admire Hindu thought regarding death and the equanimous way it is faced in their culture, I have been reading about Hinduism since my youth and more recently I have focused on "Advaita" (a philosophical current which points to "non-duality")... I have been pleasantly surprised looking at these photos which are a reflection of much of what I have learned about that culture over the years... They are photos taken in a supreme manner, both from a technical and emotional point of view... Thank you very much for "dealing again with glass reflections" and bringing this excellent work to us here in #hive my dear and top author and creator!... Big applause!
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@erikah! Your Content Is Awesome so I just sent 1 $BBH (Bitcoin Backed Hive) to your account on behalf of @jlinaresp. (5/5)
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Well, that's a totally different world for us I think. I'm glad you know more about this world than me and can understand it better.
Yes, dealing with reflection is my destiny I suppose 😁
Thanks again for the nice comment my dear friend, you're always too kind to me.
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Loved the series you shared here ! Cultural and rituals, those are things that interest me a lot :)) Thank you, plus I will be able to search for more works of the photographer !
I hope you're doing well during those pre-Christmas times !
Well, you have both in this series, a very different one than our culture.
Thanks for the nice comment @anttn, I'm fine and I hope your back is doing better :)
Indeed !
You're most welcome :) Honestly, I've been touch my magical hands and it was amazing to see the amelioration in few days !
Take care and have a lovely day 😘
Lfg
There are a lot of things right, and a lot of things wrong in the cremation rituals in India. The wrong has mostly to do with the business of funerals, something that cannot be avoided but can be very stressful to a family at their worst emotional time. It is not always as easy as paying a cremation house as per a set price. Many Indians like me have a shallow knowledge of the rituals rather than the detailed expertise that only the pundits have. So becoming part of a funeral becomes a part of growing up, where elders who have already gone through the process help you out. The activity is life-changing enough that I consider having fully grown up only when I had to light the pyre of my father when I was about 42. I was completely clueless about the specifics when I had to do the ceremony. However, I had the advantage of being in India where the extended family congregated as did all the neighbors, guiding and helping us - we just followed their instructions. The act of bidding my father farewell was tough, but the way our rituals work by the time I lit his pyre I was resigned to the fact that I was only sending off his worldly form, his spiritual soul having already left for Vaikuntha. Post that I had to be part of multiple funerals (covid being a major cause, 😞) and it never gets any easy - bidding bye and then helping to light the pyre. But it does feel easier to accept the reality of the person passing on. Now that I know a bit more and can help, being able to step up and help with the modalities of the ceremony is the best aid one can give the grieving family. At the last funeral I was at, my cousins and I were joking that our Indian rituals are long and complex and tiring just so that the grieving family is kept completely busy to not completely appreciate their loss till they are fully surrounded by loving friends and family. Sorry, I ended up writing a lot in a comment.