With kirtan, procession locals in Udharbond conduct the last rites of a Nandi Maharaj

The cow and bull are considered sacred by Hindus and often worshipped in different religious occasions. A bull died in Silchar’s Udharbond area and the locals decided to do everything that they would do when a Hindu human being dies.

“It was not just another bull, he is Nandi Maharaj,” said a local. In a Shiva temple in Udharbond’s Baladhan Tea Estate, this bull used to stay. The locals called it by the name of Nandi Maharaj and it died late last night. Today, the employees of the Tea Estate gathered and said they would do everything that’s done for the last rites of a Hindu human.

The bull was first given a bath and then draped in a white cloth. Locals paid tribute to it with flowers and garlands and the priest chanted the sacred mantras. It was then transferred to the stretcher made of bamboo and four individuals shouldered it on its way to burial.

“Nandi Maharaj was an integral part of the village and it is obvious that we will pay respect to him. Everyone in the village would mourn today, we will miss our Nandi Maharaj,” said another local resident belonging to the tea tribe.

Around 100 marched with the dead body of the bull singing various kirtans while playing dhol and other instruments. After they reached the spot of burial, the priest did the last rites and the locals respectfully put the bull to the grave while chanting Om Namah Shivay.