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                                     DEATH CUSTOM

 DEATH CUSTOM:- At the death of a Swangla, the dead body is bathed and clothed and laid in a corner covered with a kafan. A bhat, [priest] brings with him a conch shell which is placed near the head of the corpse and then lights a lamp. When it is time to take the dead body out, the bhat draws the shape of a human being on the ground with barley flour. The dead body is placed on the arthi and tied to it with coloured strings. A pot of milk and a cow are then brought before the dead body and on the hoofs of the cow some money is placed. The bhat ties the little finger of the deceased to a cotton thread, keeps in his hand and worships the cow. The milk is sprinkled on the cow by relatives. After the cow worship is over, the bhat snaps the thread. The cow is then taken round the corpse three times clockwise and three times anticlockwise. The bhat blows conch shell and the arthi is lifted. On reaching the cremation ground the body is placed on the pyre after removing the clothes. The son of the deceased lights the pyre. After collecting ashes by the son of the deceased, co accompanied by the bhat, goes to throw it into the river. The bhat is then given money and clothes. The relatives go back to the house after bathing and take their meals.

When a bhudhist dies, the dead body is covered with a cloth and is not touched until the lama arrives. The lama whispers into the ears of the corpse directing the transmigration of the soul. A butter lamp is lit before it. Then follow the prayers by the lamas in that room. At the time of cremation determined by the lama, the corpse is taken out of the house and a kafan laid on it. The corpse is then covered by coloured silken cloth. The lamas played on their prayer band. The body is then taken to the cremation ground. The clothes and the ornaments on dead body are then removed and the body put on the pyre. The kafan is torn into five pieces, four of which are tied to sticks to serve as flag on the four corners of the pyre and fifth is placed on the head of the body. Then pyre is lighted, the lamas then throw in it small quantity of ghee, barley, mustard, rice, incense, etc. After cremating the body villagers go to the house of the deceased and disperse after meal. Prayers by the lamas go on for three to eight days, after which they take the ashes to the confluence of Chandra and the Bhaga at Tandi for immersion. On the last day of the prayer the lamas are given some money, clothes and utensils.  

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