The death of a loved one ranks as the most devastating challenge that people must endure. Death leaves families in need of cultural rituals to assist them during their grief process. The Indian cultural tradition prescribes a pair of ceremonies that family members conduct on the 13 days after the death of a relative.
The Significance of “Chautha” and “Tehravin”
During the Hindu observance of death, the 13th day marks the performance of two essential ceremonies which bear the names of “Chautha” and “Tehravin.” The ceremonies have deep religious value because they both benefit the deceased and bring comfort to grieving relatives.
Chautha: Honouring the Departed
On “Chautha” which falls four days after death the family welcomes everyone to honour the deceased for their departed soul. Grieving family members find essential support through this essential mourning ritual because it enables them to mourn together and start their healing journey.
Family members conduct different observances at Chautha through prayer and memory sharing while lighting candles as a way to honour the departed person. People unite through this shared remembrance experience to both honour the important life of the individual and the deep effects their presence left on all surrounding individuals.
Tehravin: Embracing the Transition
The “Tehravin” observance marks the death’s crucial passage by taking place on the 13 days after death. A symbolic goodbye to the departed soul takes place through this funeral event where family members together say their last farewell to the departed.
Family members participate in multiple ceremonies through food and clothing distributions for poor individuals to celebrate deceased memory while spreading their life-positive impact across the world during the Tehravin period.
The Role of Cremation and Funeral Services
13 days after death rituals serve an essential purpose for both honouring departed souls and sustaining the bereaved family within the traditional funeral process of India.
Cremation Services in Bangalore
The rapid urban energy of Bangalore highlights why these rituals gain special importance in the daily lives of its residents. Bangalore residents normally seek respected funeral service companies to manage Chautha and Tehravin observances while maintaining high standards of care and honour.
The providers collaborate with families to observe all elements of the 13-day ceremonies by following cultural traditions and religious protocols with great care and precision. These professionals help families through this difficult period by organising venues while ensuring guest attendance and directing essential rituals to a successful completion.
Funeral Services in India
In Indian society, people across the nation follow the 13 days after death rituals as an essential cultural practice. The providers of funeral services within the country function as essential support for families when helping them during their mourning process while maintaining proper observance of traditions.
The service providers help families execute funeral arrangements and cremation procedures and coordinate the Chautha and Tehravin religious ceremonies to honour the deceased and support their family members.
The Transformative Power of Rituals
The religious observances occurring after 13 days are more than symbolic interactions because they create substantial healing effects that bring closure and comfort to families.
Facilitating the Grieving Process
The ordering function of Chautha and Tehravin rituals helps grieving families recognise their sorrow and recall memories of their loved ones while they start their healing process. During these ceremonies, the family finds guidance for managing their diverse emotions while experiencing grief.
Fostering Community Support
Through these rituals, the community helps to grow support among grieving families. Family members together with friends and neighbourhood members participate in Chautha and Tehravin ceremonies which help the bereaved families understand they have abundant community support during their grieving process. This mutual experience of grieving brings both comfort and strength to people actively undergoing deep emotional loss.
Honouring the Departed
A ritual observance held thirteen days following death serves two specific functions: it protects memories and life achievements from disappearing. Family members experience peace because their participation in honouring both the deceased person and their legacy allows it.
What are common after death rituals?
Here are some of the common after death rituals in India:
Chautha:
- Observed on the 4th day after death.
- A formal gathering of both family and community takes place to express condolences and to give farewell to the departed person.
- The ceremonies include using candles while praying and telling stories about the loved one who passed away.
Tehravin:
- Observed on the 13 days after death
- Marks a symbolic farewell to the departed soul.
- Family may distribute food and clothing to the less fortunate to honour the deceased’s memory.
Shraadh:
- The Shraddh ritual is organised to show devotion towards and remember the departed members of the family.
- The deceased ancestors as well as deities receive offerings as part of the ritual.
- Can be performed annually or on specific auspicious dates.
Immersion of Ashes:
- Asthi Visarjan is a ritual where the ashes of the deceased are immersed in a holy river or water body.
- Signifies the return of the soul to the divine.
Pind Daan:
- Offering food to the departed soul is usually done in the first year after death.
- Believed to help the soul attain moksha (liberation).
Death Anniversary Rituals:
- Performed annually on the date of the person’s passing.
- Involves prayers, offerings, and remembrance of the deceased.
The family with the community uses these rituals to manage loss while remembering the departed soul through ceremonies that help the soul transition. Indian various community groups and geographic areas follow different sets of death rituals.
Conclusion
After a person passes away the family performs rituals on day 13 to help with grieving while connecting with others through communal practices and remembering the person who died. The cultural traditions that span the entire terrain of India maintain their position as fundamental elements that shine hope and recovery to the affected community during sorrowful times.
Kaashimukthi is a trusted funeral service provider in Bangalore, offering complete funeral support to families based on their traditional aspects.
Madhu is an Entrepreneur, a Mentor, a Writer and an Aspiring Car Race Driver. He is Deeply passionate about leveraging Technology and Human Centred Design to make complex care and End of Life Planning easier. With the ultimate aim of Improving the quality of Life in the Twilight years. Madhu is highly educated and Alumni of IIM-Bangalore, Sikkim Manipal University and Bangalore University besides a Rich Industry Experience in the field of Product Management, Design, Supply chain, Finance, Commercial Management and Funeral Services.