Priests go virtual to perform funeral ceremonies

Stay away from cremation grounds and houses of the deceased fearing spread of the deadly virus

In strict adherence to social distancing norms due to the spread of COVID, priests are performing Antyesti (last sacrifice) or funeral rites and 13th day rituals of the departed virtually. Priests are now staying away from cremation grounds, and also the houses of the deceased, and instead taking to video calling to perform the rituals. Some elderly priests, however, are going to the crematoria on condition that they complete the formalities only if there were a few people, not more than 15. Some are asking the ‘yajaman’ (who leads the ceremonies on instructions from priests) to carry out the rituals on the river bank or at functional halls. “The young priests are telling the family members of the dead that they would give the instructions on voice or video call, while some hapless, not-so-tech savvy elderly people are visiting in person and performing the Karma Kanda and other rituals by sitting in a far corner,” Telangana Archaka Samakhya working president Gangu Upendra Sharma said.