Antim Sanskar, also known as the last rites, is the final ritual performed after the death of a person in Hinduism. It is considered to be one of the most important rituals in the Hindu religion and is performed to ensure that the soul of the deceased attains moksha or liberation.
The Antim Sanskar consists of various rituals and ceremonies that are performed to honour the deceased person and to help the soul in its journey to the afterlife. The ceremony is usually performed by the eldest son or a male member of the family, and is attended by relatives and friends of the deceased.
The first step in the Antim Sanskar is the washing and dressing of the body. The body is then laid on a bamboo stretcher covered with a white cloth, and taken to the cremation ground. The procession is accompanied by chanting of mantras and hymns, and the ringing of bells.
At the cremation ground, the body is placed on the funeral pyre, which is then set alight. The person performing the Antim Sanskar offers prayers to the gods and goddesses, and requests them to grant peace and liberation to the soul of the deceased.
After the cremation, the ashes are collected and immersed in a sacred river or sea, preferably the Ganges, which is considered to be the most holy river in India. This is believed to help the soul in its journey to the afterlife.
The Antim Sanskar is also followed by a period of mourning, which is observed by the family and close relatives of the deceased. During this period, the family refrains from any celebrations and wears white clothes as a symbol of mourning. This period usually lasts for 13 days, after which a ceremony called the Shradh is performed to honour the ancestors and to seek their blessings.
In conclusion, the Antim Sanskar is an important ritual in Hinduism that is performed after the death of a person. It is performed to ensure that the soul of the deceased attains moksha or liberation, and to honour the departed soul. The ceremony involves various rituals and ceremonies, and is performed with the utmost reverence and devotion.
"ॐ त्रयम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय मामृतात्॥"