VARANASI, India, April 26 (Reuters) – Murali Mohan Sastry is ready peacefully for demise on the banks of the Ganges River in India’s northern metropolis of Varanasi, revered by hundreds of thousands of Hindus.

More than a decade in the past, the 82-year-old former school instructor and his spouse left behind snug lives within the southern metropolis of Hyderabad.

Now he hopes that by dying in Varanasi, he can break the tenuous cycle of demise and rebirth, an article of religion for a lot of Hindus, as a way to attain salvation.

“We invite death,” Sastry mentioned quickly after chanting his daybreak prayers whereas dipping absolutely clothed into the waters of the river 3 times.

“And he’s our guest, actually. So we are proud that we are going to die here.”

The couple, who dwell in one of many spartan group houses throughout the sacred metropolis meant for these in search of to dwell out their twilight years there, have been impressed by the instance of his mom, who had lived in the identical place.

Although Western-style retirement houses are rising well-liked, Sastry has little interest in worldly comforts, preferring to spend his closing days immersed in research and prayer.

“Our Indian philosophy is, those who seek worldly comforts can never go to God, can never reach God,” mentioned the white-haired Sastry, his shoulders draped in a yellow scarf with scriptural phrases picked out in saffron.

“As far as possible, shun all these things. Don’t go for them. Go only for God.”

More than 1,000,000 individuals dwell within the historic metropolis famed for its temples and bathing spots beside Hinduism’s holiest river to which the religious flock from everywhere in the nation for rituals marking occasions from delivery to demise.

“Now I don’t feel like living in this world anymore,” mentioned Ram Pyari, one other resident of the house, as she ready a meal for her husband, who is usually confined to mattress in what he’s sure are his closing days.

“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’s in her 80s.

The supervisor of the house, Mumukshu Bhavan, which dates from the Nineteen Twenties, says it has reached full capability, with greater than 80 residents, though demand for locations stays excessive.

“More and more old people want to come and stay in Varanasi,” mentioned the official, Manish Kumar Pandey. “But we can only accommodate a limited number.”

Still, the religious unable to breathe their final within the holy metropolis can take solace from the Hindu perception that can come a step nearer to salvation if their stays are cremated there.

Reporting by Joseph Campbell and Sunil Kataria; Editing by Clarence Fernandez

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