Woman performs last rites of husband in Bihar

After the death of the husband, the grief-stricken wife never visits the crematorium during the rituals of funeral rites, as per tradition prevailing in the Hindu religion. But a woman from Bihar has broken age-old Hindu traditions by performing the last rites of her husband.

Khagaria (Bihar): Breaking age-old Hindu traditions, a woman from Bihar's Khagaria district performed the last rites of her husband, a ritual usually done by male members of the family.

Meena Devi, in her 50s, on Friday performed the 'shradh ceremony' (a ritual performed after death) of her husband Krishnanand Mishra, who was ill for a few months.

As the couple have no children, Meena lit the pyre of her husband at Aguwani Ganga Ghat in the presence of her relatives.

"I was aware of the rituals performed during the funeral rites. A woman going to the crematorium has been prohibited in our traditional society. But, my intimate love and affection for my husband gave me the courage to perform the last rites. Though it was very painful, I came forward," said Meena Devi.

In a male-dominated society, a woman coming forward to perform the funeral rite is indeed path-breaking and an example for everyone.