Significant movement on the rivers opposing bank caught my eye , another body had been brought in by the all-male bearers . The covering cloth removed to reveal a pure white silk wrapped tightly around the corpse . The head is slightly visible creating a feeling of connection , I ’ m later to understand that this is no accident , Hindu ’ s believe that a person ’ s spirit exits through the mouth .
With stretcher in hand , the men walk around the pyre three times before placing the body atop . The deceased ’ s oldest son walks around the pyre before lighting the kindling , the structure is quickly engulfed as a type of butter oil is used as an accelerant . Straw , wetted from the river , is placed amongst the pyre to ensure a rich envelope of smoke fills the air , both hiding the cremation process from view and also ensuring the spirit is carried away . Morbidly ,
TRAVERSE 115