Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-16
Cremation I'm India.

The Times OF India has the following. On
wednesday, July 5, fatal accident occurred AZ
MAlabar- hill, 20 the Hon. Narayan wasudeO 4
member OF the legislative council of the gov
ernor Of Bombay. The front portion OF his
dwelling house fell in, and be was killed. Ar
rsEgements we're made in the course OF the At
terGcon for the disposal OF the remsins Tho
BODY Was placed on the floor OF large apatt-
ment at the rear OF one OF the wings OF The
mouse, snd the female members OF the family,
seating themselves around 70, gave themselves
az 10 uHc0Ltrollahle GRIEF. The unhappy wi lew
Was oyerRhelMed by the dreadful calatn e
which had oeiaiien her. A grestnumber o. the
ieaGiDg members Of the EarOpeau and yarioaS
naive communities called and took lasr
look at the remains a. they lay covered with
a white robe, the lower part OF the face
being alone exposed. L. was az first intended
10 perform the last Offices on he ground
adjacent 20 the Temple at Walke-awsr
htt ulumhtely u was considered that the bum
ing ground AZ SonapOre would be more apprO-
pirate scene, FOR there mr.. Narayan hat a.
considerable cost, erected 3 place or shelter for
mouFners, planted trees, and in other ways
shown his MUnldCeDce. The procession started
about p. IN. The bier, composed Of two long
pieces OF bamboo with = couple Of cross pieces
and covered with rich white shawl, was upheld
10y the eldest brother Of the deceased, aHf Nh
Rueunath NaTaySn, Mr.. Shautsrsm Narayan
ard DIR. ShamtaTam Withul. The sacred fire
which had been kiudled with due ceremonies AZ
lDe house was carried in front in brZen- vessel
by the deceaSed's sou. The funeral was largely
ATTENDED not only by members Of bis caste bat
hy those OF other castles and denomination
was placed on the ground while the pvre was
being constructed. Men with short Gro y bars
made SIX holes IN the earth, AMI i'm each OF these
was placed rough piece Of timber about -four
or five feet high. The posts, ranged two ana
two, were abeut yard distant from each other
Three logs about SIX feet long each were placed
on pieces OF wood between each pair of upri ghts
so g. 10 allow free draught under the whole
number of smaller logs were placed on these
large ones, and were covered with sandal wood
which made sort Of bed for the reception OF
" ur1 f,ar
of torches OF sandal wood were being carefully
ignited by the son of the deceased a. the sacred
IRE which he had brought with him for the pur-
pose. Prayers were said while the ignition was
in progress. All being ready, the bier Wa
brought to the side of the pyre. 1t was then
lifted on to the bier, which was by this time he
tween three and four feet high. The upright
posts confined the body on either side, ana pre-
vented the possibility OF its rolling OF. Small
blocks Of sandal wood OF various lengths-from
Elk inches to two fest-were placed lightly on
the body. The deceased's son then took a
bTazen vessel full OF water and care
fully sprinkled a circle on the earth around
the funeral pile He next seized brand from
the sacred fire and applied il to sOmes dried
leaves or similar combustibles under the pyre
That did not set fire to the pile, however. and
was not intended to more than a compliance
with the ceremonial; the brand was red but
not blazing, and spark or two only fell from
II. The relatives were then, as is ususI in such
cases, led away from the pYre by the friends
around, so as TO spare their feelings as much as
possible. When they were taken q few yards
on, and their backs turned TO the pyre, large
logs, similar to those at the base, were placed
over the body, which became completely con
cealed, all but the feet, which were left exposed
either by accident or design. The friends APP
piled matches to the sandal wood brands, aud,
when they blsZed up, set FIRE TO the cOmbnsti-
bles. Owing, doubtless, 20 the dampness OF the
ground and occasional drops of rain, il was a
matter OF some difficulty 10 get the mass 10
burn. Cocoanut oil was thrown on the wood,
snd screens were held by men so as 70 regulate
ne araught, and after long interval the pyre
blaZed up fercely. Ia three hours only hand
fui Of ashes remained of him who was but that
morning the influential leader OF the Hindoo
community, full of life and hope.