Hindu priests have supported the demand of earmarking a separate place for performing the last rites of children within the city limits. The death of a five-year old child and the problems the grieving family faced in finding a resting place was reported by The Pioneer in its edition of Monday.
Renowned Priest Ajay Pokhariyal told The Pioneer that the funeral of those children who die before the ceremony of ‘Yagyopavit Sanskar’ is not performed. In this ceremony a sacred thread is placed across the shoulders of the individual amid chanting of hymns. He informed that the age by which this ceremony should be performed depends on the Varna of the individual. “For the Children of Brahmins this ceremony should be performed when he is between the ages of 5 to 11 years, for Chatriyas this age is till 12 years and for Vaishya community the ceremony can be performed till the age of 15 years. This ceremony is prohibited for the Shudra Community,” he informed. Pokhariyal said that such children are buried in a desolate place preferably near a rive side. He added that for such unfortunate children a ceremony called ‘Narayan Bali’ is needed to be performed for their peace of soul. The priest said that the state government should earmark a burial place for the Hindu children in the state capital and other cities.
Pandit Janardan Prasad Naithani of MDDA colony Kedarpuram seemed to echo the sentiments of Pokhariayal on the issue. He said that Janeu Sanskar is necessary for funeral of any Hindu. Naithani said that the rivers of state capital are encroached by the land mafia and Hindus face problems for burial of children who die. He demanded that the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun should reserve some places near the Rispana and Bindal for performing the last rites of such children.