Kathmandu, Nepal: Pashupatinath Temple Dead Bodies and ritualized cremation

When we arrived in Nepal, we were surprisingly shocked by the chaotic poverty of the warren of streets in Kathmandu. Underneath it all, we were feeling cynical about expecting to see anything new at any temple, after over a year of temple-going across Asia. We barely paid attention to our guide at this temple. But, then we saw a dead body being washed in the Bagmati River next to the famous Pashupatinath Hindu Temple. We stopped dead in our tracks, in awe. And, in inner conflict over whether or not to show our young kids their first dead body. I mean, even Ken and I had never seen anything so mortal and, well, dead. We chose to show them the entire ritual - body cleaning, river washing, carrying, flame-lighting, and cremation right in front of us. We didn't regret showing the kids one bit. They were fascinated and didn't seem freaked out at all. It all happened across the river from us, because only Hindus are allowed on the side of the river with the cremation and temple. These cremations happen 24/7. Click HERE for a video of the dead body washing by the male members of the family. Female family members are not allowed, as explained to us - women get too emotional during the cremation. Amazingly, they just toss the dead body items into the river, along with food and sewage.

Unwrapping the dead body.

The Pashupatinath Temple towering above the dead body cleansing ritual.

Carrying the same washed dead body to the cremation site. These sons had their elder mother die. Click HERE to see the carrying.

Before lighting the fire underneath the body, the sons walk around their mother's body three times. Click HERE to see them walk.

Watch them lighting the fire by clicking HERE.      July 3, 2011