Death is inevitable. If there is birth there is death. So is the ritual of final rites as per various religious beliefs.
As per the Hindu scriptures, the mortal remains are immersed in holy rivers or seas. Thousands of people throng at the bank of the Ganges to immerse mortal remains of their near and dear ones after their death.
However, not many of us know why the ritual is being followed. To make it clear, Sanatan Dharma mentions immersion of mortal remains in holy waters gives peace to departed souls.
Some believe the ritual of immersing mortal remains in holy waters free a departed soul from all sins she/he commited during his life. There is a spiritual belief behind this age old tradition. According to spiritualism, immersion of mortal remains unites an ‘atma’ with ‘Paramatma’.
However, scientific study has something different to say about this tradition. There is mercury in river water. This mercury helps calcium and phosphorous in bones dissolves in water easily, turning it to edible substance for aquatic animals. Likewise, the calcium in bones helps purify river water.
For healthy life style and clean environment, this tradition has been in practice since ages.
PNN
