VARANASI: Many who couldn’t perform ‘asthi visarjan’ (immersion of ashes) and ‘shraddh’ (13-day rituals) of loved ones who died during the pandemic can now fulfil their wish via speed post and view the rituals live.
The department of posts and a socio-religious platform, Om Divya Darshan, have tied up to offer services for ‘asthi-visarjan’ in Ganga and ‘shraddh’ rituals in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar and Gaya.
“Many lost their dear ones to Covid, but could not perform their last rites.
Now, ashes can be sent through speed post to these holy cities by intimating the postal department,” said postmaster general of Varanasi region, Krishna Kumar Yadav.
There is a tradition of ‘asthi visarjan in Ganga and prayer for the soul through ‘shraddh’ in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar and Gaya.
To avail this facility, people need to register themselves on the portal of Om Divya Darshan (htpp://omdivysdarshan.org) for ‘asthi visarjan’ or ‘shraddh’ ceremony on the portal.
The ashes can be placed in a packet and sent by speed post to Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar and Gaya.
The ‘asthi’ packet should be neatly packed and ‘Om Divya Darshan’ inscribed in bold along with details.
The speed post charges will be borne by the sender only.
He said after the booking, the sender should update details, including speed post barcode number on the portal of Om Divya Darshan Sanstha.
Once the packet is received at post office, it will be delivered to the portal’s address.
After that, empanelled priests shall perform the ‘shraddh’ ceremony on a pre-decided date and time slot, which would be webcast to family members.
Thereafter, a bottle of Ganga water will be booked and delivered to family members of the deceased through a speed post from Parliament Street Post Office, Delhi.