Manikarnika Ghat submerged, cremation capacity reduced 5 times | Manikarnika Ghat submerged, cremation capacity reduced 5 times: Last rites being performed on open rooftop even in rain; Dom Samaj said- people are going to other ghats – Varanasi News

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Many times, cremation cannot be done properly on the open terrace of Manikarnika Ghat due to rain.

The logs kept below are also getting wet. They are being shifted to the roofs and upper lanes. On the other hand, the Dom community says that in the name of renovation, many old buildings have been demolished along with this ghat. Now forget about the dead bodies, even the Doms themselves do not have a place to sit. The roof is leaking from above, while it is overflowing from below. That is, the dirty water of the sewer is spreading on the ghats.

The bodies are being carried to Manikarnika Ghat in the flood waters of the Ganges.

Whatever dead body is coming to the ghat through the street, first of all it is being given a bath. Wherever the water of Ganga has filled up, people are going there and giving the dead body a bath. After this, they are taking it to the roof. Here a member stops them and tells them that there is no space up there. They will be informed as soon as space is available. When space is available, the dead body is being sent to the roof. Sometimes, if there are less dead bodies, there is no waiting. The dead body is cremated as soon as it arrives.

Girls kept on top of buildings at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi.

Dainik Bhaskar also talked to the people of Dom community while investigating this crisis at Manikarnika Ghat………

The Dom community says that there is a waiting period of 3-4 hours for cremation. People are waiting for their turn to cremate the bodies of their loved ones. The police are now sending the bodies to other ghats or somewhere else from the road itself. They are not allowing them to come here.

Sijayi Chaudhary of Dom community said that now there is no place for Dom people to sit here.

Sijayi Chaudhary of Dom Samaj said, “Now only one roof is left for cremating the dead body. They are cremating the dead body wherever they can find space. The buildings around have been demolished. The ghat has also been demolished. There is a problem of space. If more people come, they should wait or cremate the body somewhere else. The flood water will remain till September-October. Till then, it will continue like this. From the administration to the Municipal Corporation, no one is listening.”

Only 6 to 7 bodies are being cremated at a time on the rooftop of Manikarnika Ghat.

Forget about cremating the corpse, there is no place for the Dom to even sit
Sijayi Chaudhary said, forget about burning the dead bodies, there is no place left for the Dom people to sit here. In the name of renovation, the entire ghat has been demolished. Buildings have been razed. Even at the one or two places that are left, water is dripping so much that people are somehow managing. Chaos has spread on the ghat. It is not known when the renovation work will start. At the same time, the flood water will remain for the next two and a half months. In such a situation, how will the dead bodies be burnt for so many days? When the water level will rise further, then the dead bodies will have to be burnt in the streets.

Wood is being kept in the streets and inside the houses of Manikarnika Ghat.

Wood is being shifted to the roofs

The wood used for cremating the corpse at Manikarnika Ghat is also being shifted to the roofs and streets. The wood that is left below is getting wet. This will cause problems in burning. However, on the condition of not speaking on camera, a shopkeeper said that there is enough space to keep the wood here. The water of Ganga comes every year, so the arrangement for shifting and maintenance is fine. Baba’s grace is so much here that even wet wood burns. Still there are many problems, for which a permanent solution is necessary.