Pashupatinath cremation ground#

Pashupatinath cremation ground, March 2015, © Bernd Mader

Before the cremation, water from the holy river is spilled over the dead.

The body then gets covered by wet straw or, if the families can afford it, sandalwood.

The oldest son then walks around the pile five times (to match the holy number five which represents the five elements: earth, water, fire, wind and Akasha, the ether).

The oldest son, or daughter, then sets the pile on fire.

After four hours the body is burned to ashes that are poured into the river.