More than a decade ago, 82-year-old Murali Mohan Sastry and his wife left behind comfortable lives to live on the banks of the Ganges river in India's Varanasi. Now he hopes that by dying in the ancient city, he can attain salvation
More than a decade ago, the 82-year-old former college teacher and his wife left behind comfortable lives in the southern city of Hyderabad.
"We invite death," Sastry said soon after chanting his dawn prayers while dipping fully clothed into the waters of the river three times.The couple, who live in one of the spartan community homes across the sacred city meant for those seeking to live out their twilight years there, were inspired by the example of his mother, who had lived in the same place.
"Our Indian philosophy is, those who seek worldly comforts can never go to God, can never reach God," said the white-haired Sastry, his shoulders draped in a yellow shawl with scriptural phrases picked out in saffron.More than a million people live in the ancient city famed for its temples and bathing spots beside Hinduism's holiest river to which the devout flock from all over the country for rituals marking events from birth to death.
"One has to face so much suffering that one gets fed up. So you feel that if you attain salvation then you won't have to suffer anymore," added Ram Pyari, who is in her 80s.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
India's Adani Ports starts $130 mln buyback of debt securitiesIndia's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone , a group company of the beleaguered Adani Group, said on Monday that it started a buyback programme of certain debt securities to prepay part of its loans due in 2024.
Read more »
Dollar bonds of India's Adani Ports rise as company starts debt buybackThe U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by India's Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone rose on Monday, after the company commenced a cash tender offer for a buyback of securities.
Read more »
India's Tata Steel begins hydrogen gas injection trial in blast furnaceIndian steel maker Tata Steel Ltd on Monday said it initiated trial for injecting hydrogen gas at its blast furnace in the company's flagship plant, in a move to reduce metallurgical coke usage and cut carbon emissions.
Read more »
Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh arrested in India after long huntAmritpal Singh, who has revived calls for the state of Punjab to secede, had been on the run since last month after capturing national attention in February.
Read more »
Another cheetah has died after relocation to India, the second in less than a month | CNNA cheetah from Africa has died two months after being reintroduced to India as part of an intercontinental effort to revive the big cat in the country, the second animal from the program to have passed away in less than a month.
Read more »
India Approves Construction of Its Own LIGO Gravitational-Wave DetectorIndia has approved the construction of LIGO-India, a gravitational-wave observatory that will join a global network, enhancing the ability to pinpoint sources of gravitational waves and answer fundamental questions about the universe. The Indian government has granted the final approvals necessary
Read more »