Ratan Tata, the 86-year-old industrial magnate and Tata Group Chairman Emeritus, died on Wednesday at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. The Maharashtra government will grant him a state funeral, and as a Parsi, his last rites would be performed in accordance with the community’s norms.
Parsis, unlike Hindus and Muslims, do not cremate or bury their loved ones, and they regard a human body as a gift from nature that must be returned. Cremation or burial, according to Zoroastrian beliefs, contaminates the natural components of water, air, and fire.In the early hours of the day, the body is prepared for the funeral rites. The body is washed and dressed in traditional Parsi attire by the Nassesalars, who are specialised pallbearers responsible for handling the remains. The body is then wrapped in a white shroud, known as the ‘sudreh’ (cotton vest) and ‘kusti’, a sacred cord that is worn round the waist.
Before the body is taken to the final resting place, prayers and blessings are performed by the Parsi priests. These rituals are designed to help the soul of the deceased transition smoothly into the afterlife. The family and close relatives gather to pay their respects and participate in these prayers.
Ratan Tata will get a state funeral, according to the Maharashtra government, in recognition of his enormous national achievements.
His remains are being held in the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in Nariman Point, south Mumbai, so that people can pay their respects prior to the completion of the last ceremonies. Ratan Tata’s remains will be transferred to the Worli cremation at 3:30 p.m. for final ceremonies.
On behalf of the administration, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be present at the funeral.
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Source: India Today
