Woman performs last rites of father

Chief Accountant B G Indramma, a KAS officer, fourth daughter of Govindegowda of Belagola village, not only performed the last rites at Balamuri but also tonsured her head on the 11 th day as per the tradition.

“We are five daughters to our parents and it is our duty to show respect to our parents. What's wrong with it?’, she asked.

When their mother died she had taken the ashes to Varanasi and immersed into Ganga river.  “I have released my father’s ashes in Cauvery river. I am happy that I have carried out the last rites of our father,” she said. While some relatives supported her decision, others felt it was inappropriate for a married woman to tonsure her head.

According to Narasimha swamy, a priest who performs last rites at Paschimavahini “One must not misinterpret Hindu last rites. In the absence of sons, relatives or even priests can perform the rituals.”