Trending:

Why are Eunuchs Cremated at Night and Why ‘Outsiders’ are Not Allowed to Witness it? Know Here

Kinnars or eunuchs are one of the most marginalised groups in India. However, they are a regular feature during weddings, birth, etc. as it is believed that they have spiritual powers which make their blessings particularly effective. But no outsider can witness their cremation. Let us find out the reason and belief behind this practice.

TN Lifestyle Desk

Updated Jan 30, 2024, 21:00 IST

Know why outsiders are not allowed during the last rites of a Kinnar

Photo : iStock

In India, the eunuchs also known as Kinnars are the most marginalised groups. Yet despite that these people are often seen at weddings, festivals, or after the birth of a child. The Kinnars come to our house and bless the newlyweds or the newborn child.

People in turn give them money for their blessings. We hardly see them celebrating any festival or participating in such celebrations. But beyond that, we hardly know anything about them. They live among the shadows cut off from the rest of the world. Even today, we do not know about their customs, for example, we do not know how the kinnars are cremated. Today we will tell you about some of their customs related to their cremations.

The last days of a eunuch
In India, it is strongly believed that the Kinnar are blessed with spiritual powers, which makes them aware of their death. The Kinnars stop eating and drinking a few days before their death. During this time, they do not like to go anywhere. They spend their last time just drinking water. They pray for themselves while dying and for the other Kinnars that they should not be born in the next life.

The Kinnars from around come to seek blessings from the dying person as it is believed that the blessings of the dying Kinnars are very effective and will help resolve some of their issues.

At the same time, Kinnars are always careful not to inform anyone other than their close-knit group about their death. Before the last rites are performed, the Kinnar who is killed is abused and is hit with slippers and shoes. This is done so that if that person had committed a crime, then he gets repented. This way in the next life, he will be born as a normal human being.

The last journey of the eunuchs
The deceased eunuch is not carried on the four shoulders to the funeral ground, but they are made to stand and are taken for their funeral in this position.

Secondly, it is believed that if an outsider sees the dead Kinnar, then that person will be born in their next life again as a Kinnar.

Thirdly, the funeral of Kinnars takes place at midnight so that no outsider can see it.

Fourthly, the dead body of a Kinnar is buried and not burnt.

After the death of a Kinnar, their companions keep a fast for a week and pray for the deceased that that person is born as a normal person in their next life.

It is said that Kinnars do not feel sad or mourn the death of their fellow Kinnar, but instead, they feel happy. There is a belief among them that after the death of the Kinnar, that person has found freedom from this life which is like a living hell for them.

Before the final ceremonies are conducted, the Kinnar who is killed is beaten with shoes and brooms before being buried. This is a sentence for any wrong that the eunuch had done while they were alive, so his spirit stands to account. And also, because in the following life, Kinnar should be born as a normal human.

Kinnar's funeral takes place at midnight, and no outsider is permitted to witness it or participate in it. The remains are covered in a white cloak and water from any sacred river is poured into the corpse’s mouth.

The Kinnars believe that if any stranger or outsider witnesses the cremation of a Kinnar then that Kinnar will once again be born as a Kinnar in their next life.

Latest News