Relative 're-performs' Jaya's last rites as per Iyengar customs

A relative of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa ‘re-performed’  her last rites as per Iyengar customs, by consigning a doll made of hay (Darbhe) to flames at Paschima Vahini here on Tuesday.

Varadarajan, cousin of N J Vasudevan, half brother of Jayalalitha, performed the rites under the supervision of priest Ramanujan of Mysuru. The hay doll was made of 68 streaks of hay, representing Komalavalli (Jayalalithaa), who was 68 years old. The customs were performed amid chanting of Vedic hymns. The ashes were immersed in the Cauvery. The priests did not mention the name Jayalalithaa anywhere and used Komalavalli, her original name.
Ramanujan said Jayalalithaa’s mortal remains were buried against the Iyengar tradition. Hence, the rituals were ‘re-performed’ so that her soul can rest in peace. Varadarajan said he performed the ritual as directed by Vasudevan after taking a written permission.