Kanpur(Uttar Pradesh): This unique bank in Kanpur that preserves ashes of the deceased awaiting immersion in the holy rivers has seen a spike in customers due to COVID-19 lockdown.
Instead of containing precious jewels and documents, the lockers of the 'Asthi Kalash bank' at Bhairon Ghat is being utilized by people to keep urns containing ashes of the deceased. 60 such urns containing ashes have been kept in the bank lockers since the lockdown was imposed.
"A large number of people want to immerse the ashes of their loved one in Prayagraj, Varanasi or Haridwar but they are unable to go there due to the lockdown. Since ashes cannot be kept at home, as per Hindu tradition, we are keeping them in the bank till the lockdown is over. There are about 60 urns containing ashes," said Manoj Sengar who set up the bank in 2014 under the aegis of Yug Dadhichi Dehdaan Sansthan.