Berhampur: Strong emotional bondage with pets prove heartbreaking with their demise for some people. Since they consider their pets as part of the family, they also perform their last rites as they do in case of human beings.
In one such case, the family of Tunnu Gouda in Paralakhemundi of Odisha’s Gajapati district bid a tearful adieu to their pet dog, Anjali, and performed her last rites as per tradition on Monday.
After Tunnu found Anjali around 16 years back he had brought her home. Since then, she became a part of his family. Over the years, Tunnu developed a strong bond with Anjali.
On Anjali’s death, Tunnu mad all arrangements for her cremation. The grieving family bathed their pet dog with turmeric water and put garlands on her. They took out her funeral procession around the town carrying the body in a decorated vehicle accompanied by DJ and fireworks.
Many people from the locality also joined the procession despite the heavy rain. The video of the procession went viral in the social media.
#WATCH | Odisha: A family in Paralakhemundi bid a tearful goodbye to their pet dog, Anjali, & performed its last rites as per traditional rituals yesterday when it died after being with them for 17 yrs. Owner of the dog, Tunnu Gouda also took out a funeral procession for his pet. pic.twitter.com/CQwIW9PFmv
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2022
“I used to work in different shops to manage a living after my father’s death. This is when I met Anjali almost 16 years back,” said Tunnu to local media.
“I will organise a community feast for Anjali just like it is conducted after the death of a human being,” he added.
