MOKSH AFTER 40 YEARS

The last wish of 135 Hindus and Sikhs who had died in Pakistan was fulfilled after 40 years when their ashes were immersed in the Ganga recently:

P.S. Chauhan

It is the heart felt wish of many devout Hindus that after death their ashes be immersed in the holy Ganga so that they may get salvation. This last wish of 135 Hindus and Sikhs, who died in Pakistan, could be fulfilled after 40 years of struggle and efforts by their family members and some social organizations.

Mahant Ram Nath Mishra Maharaj of the Karachi based Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir had been trying to bring these ashes to India for immersion in the Ganga for quite some time. After co-ordination with Devothan Samiti and Mahant Surendra Nath Avadhoot of Kalka Mandir in India, the efforts of the office -bearers of Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir met with success and visas could be obtained to bring the ashes to India.

After reaching Haridwar, the 135 urns containing the ashes were kept at the residence of Mahant Surendra Nath Avadhoot where a yagya was performed. Among others, it was attended by Kamla Advani, the wife of the former deputy prime minister, L.K. Advani.

Later on the procession, consisting of 12 persons from Pakistan, including the relatives of the deceased and others and along with hundreds of people from the city, with playing of bands, started from Nishkam Sewa Trust to Sati Ghat Kankhal. The ashes of the deceased were immersed in the holy Ganga at this ghat with full rites. Among those present on the occasion were the state minister of urban development and tourism, Madan Kaushik, the vice chairman of the state SC/ST commission, Suresh Rathore, the vice chairman of the state cow protection board, Swami Yatishwaranand and the prominent saints of the city.

Ram Nath Mishra told Haridwar Plus that these ashes had been kept in a library at Karachi and were guarded by a Muslim watchman, Murad Baksh. According to the Pakistani delegation, more such urns have been kept by the Hindus in several parts of Pakistan. These are also to be brought for final rituals.

Anil Narendra, the chief of the Devothan Samiti, termed the day as ‘historic’ and said that it would foster the bond of amity between the people of the two countries. Members of the Pakistani delegation said that the governments of the two countries should work together to simplify the rules so that religious visa could easily be granted to those who want to come to India and the souls of the Hindus who die in Pakistan do not have to wait for decades for peace