AP PHOTOS: Scarf, comb show changes to Hindu cremation rites

By Associated Press

Published: | Updated:

GAUHATI, India (AP) - A comb. A toothbrush. A bangle. A cotton scarf - protection from the summer heat now used as a face mask.

The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India´s remote northeast.

It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people - shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the coronavirus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died.

Hindus believe cremation of the body frees the soul so it can be reborn, and they often burn belongings that were with the body at the time of the death.

The belongings of the COVID-19 victims are left behind because of fear of touching them. They are scattered around the entire grounds of the Ulubari crematorium, particularly where the pyres are lit.

India´s devastating virus surge in April and May left families and patients pleading for oxygen outside hospitals, the relatives weeping in the street as their loved ones died while waiting for treatment. Crematoriums were overwhelmed and often lit around the clock.

A comb of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A comb of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Infections are declining, but authorities are pushing to increase vaccinations as they prepare for another possible surge.

A face mask and an unused toothbrush of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A face mask and an unused toothbrush of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A pair of protective goggles of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A pair of protective goggles of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A bangle of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A bangle of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A shaving brush and gloves of deceased COVID-19 victims and their relatives lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A shaving brush and gloves of deceased COVID-19 victims and their relatives lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Empty raper of medicine used by a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Empty raper of medicine used by a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Clothes of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Clothes of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

An oxygen mask of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

An oxygen mask of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Banana leaves used during the last rituals of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Banana leaves used during the last rituals of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Earthen pots used during the cremation of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Earthen pots used during the cremation of a deceased COVID-19 victim lie in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Used toothpaste of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Used toothpaste of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A used sandal of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

A used sandal of a deceased COVID-19 victim lies in a cremation ground in Gauhati, India, Friday, July 2, 2021. The personal belongings of cremated COVID-19 victims lie strewn around the grounds of the Ulubari cremation ground in Gauhati, the biggest city in India's remote northeast. It's a fundamental change from the rites and traditions that surround death in the Hindu religion. And, perhaps, also reflects the grim fears grieving people shaken by the deaths of their loved ones - have of the virus in India, where more than 405,000 people have died. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

AP PHOTOS: Scarf, comb show changes to Hindu cremation...

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