Bahanaga locals perform 10th-day ritual for crash victims, shave heads

BHUBANESWAR: The residents of Bahanaga locality in Balasore district of Odisha on Sunday observed the 10th day ritual for the victims of the triple-train accident that took place on June 2. As a part of the ritual, 116 people shaved their heads at a pond near the Bahanaga Bazar accident site.
Sarat Raj, panchayat samiti member of Bahanaga block, said they have rescued hundreds of people from the accident-hit trains and recovered many bodies with the help of rescuers."We regarded them as our family members. The way we mourn and observe the death of our family members, we did the same here for the people who lost their lives," Raj said.

He said 81 bodies have not been handed over to their next of kin since many families are not sure about the death of their loved ones. Therefore, they may not be observing the rituals. To pre-empt the possibility of any departed soul not getting the ritualistic respect that they deserve, we decided to perform the 10th day ritual for all 288. We hope it will give them peace," Raj added.
After shaving their heads, all the 116 people took bath in the pond and wore new clothes. They were given freshly prepared food. According to Hindu ritual, they also offered food to the departed souls in the evening.

Raj said they will also pray for the well-being and good health of those who were injured in the accident by organizing prayers on Monday and Tuesday.
He said they would will also conduct a 'sarba dharma sabha' (meeting of people of all religions), where they will pray for the departed souls and the injured.