Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal - Cremation Ceremony

The Pashupatinath temple is not accessible for non-Hindus but it is the cremations that attract many visitors, both Nepalese and foreign visitors. Cremations are part of life and death, but it is something that you do not want to be confronted with to many times. Especially Ivonne was reluctant to visit Pashupatinath. Cremations at Pashupatinath are not the same as in the western world, where the cremation is something private. As soon as we approach the Bagmati River, we see already the smoke of a cremation that is taking place. In Nepal, also the death people are not equal. There are several cremation places, one for the royal family, one for rich families with prestige and several others for the ‘normal’ people. The cremation places for the ‘normal’ people are located on the other side of the bridge, out of sight from the places that are used by the royals and the rich. From the other side of the river you can observe all the activities that are going on. Ivonne is relieved when she sees that the human body is not recognisable anymore because the cremation is already almost at the end. The fire is managed by two persons, who seem to be close family. They use long bamboo sticks to poke in the fire and to be sure that everything burns well. Along the cremation fire, a young man with a shaven head sits on the stairs that lead to the river. He is the oldest son of the man that is being cremated. It is difficult to understand for us that he is sitting so quietly while his father is being cremated. It is impressive, but because of the serenity, it is not grisly. When the cremation is over, the relatives descend to the river. The oldest son puts of his cloths and throws them into the river. Afterwards he clothes himself completely in with as a sign that he is starting his mourning period, which will last for a year. He will wear white clothes for a whole year.