Berhampur: While Odisha government is mulling use of cow dung cakes instead of firewood for cremation at ‘Swargadwara’ in Puri, not many are aware that this eco-friendly method has been in use in Paralakhemundi, the district headquarters of Gajapati, for over eight decades.
No firewood and electric heaters are used in any of the four crematoriums – on the banks of the Mahendratanaya river, Gopalpur along Odisha-Andhra border, Hatibadi at Padmanav Tota and another near Sita Sagar- in the town.
“About 1,200 pieces of cow dung cakes (ghasi) which cost Rs 4200 are required to burn one body in six hours. Transportation charges from the outlet to the crematorium by bullock cart, trolley rickshaw costs another Rs 500 to Rs 600. The cow dung cakes used for this purpose are prepared by female members of ‘Gola’ and ‘Kampa’ communities. These are uniform in size of six-inch radius and about 1.5-inch in width,” said Bira Kishore Patnaik (63), a social activist of Karana Street who has attended more than 5,000 cremations.
He was also present during the funeral of 6 COVID-19 patients.
Cremation by cow dung cakes requires a special technique. A pit of about 5 feet long (3 haata and one chakhanda according to local tradition) and about 2 feet width (one haata and one chakhanda) and same depth is first dug. Five hundred cow dung cakes in 10 lines (50X10) in two layers are then packed into the pit to allow air into it. The remaining cow dung cakes are ignited separately. When the dead body is kept over the cow dung cakes and funeral pyre (Mukhagni) is being lit, others pour the burning cow dung over the dead body and these catch fire with the help of kerosene. The burnt cow dung cakes remain hot for up to 18 hours. ‘Hadasitala’, collecting the cremated remains, is generally carried out the following morning by pouring water on it.
The locals adopted this method since no firewood to burn bodies was available in Paralakhemundi.
When Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati of Paralakhemundi (ruled the estate from 1913 to 1947) opened a ‘Home Farm’ which was an experimental project for dairy farming on large scale. Besides milk, it produced a huge quantity of cow dung everyday prompting many to cremate bodies using cow dung cakes instead of firewood. It not only resolved sanitation issues, but also helped to save the green cover, sources said.
Maharaja was a great animal lover and the then Member of ‘Royal Commission on Agriculture’ also invited famous veterinarian and author of ‘Indian Breeds of Cattle’ R L Kaura from London to his ‘Gajapati Palace’ to suggest improvement in his private ‘Home Farm’. Kaura stayed in the Gajapati Palace for a few years.
During COVID-19, Annapurna Amma and Ratnalu of Khanja Sahi and Kantaru Gouda of Odia Bhandari Sahi in Paralakhemundi, who were producing cow dung cakes since decades were unable to collect cow dung due to lockdown restrictions. This then led to an increase in the prices of the cake.
Also Read: Cow Dung Cakes To Replace Firewood In Puri Swargadwar! Other States Using Biofuel For Cremation
Notably, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Bihar are already using dung logs and pellets to cremate bodies. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) started using cow dung cakes at its 26 crematoriums across the city in February this year.
In 2023, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had directed officials to ensure that 50% of the total fuel (wood) used in funeral fires at crematoriums in the state comprised “Upala” (cow dung cakes) sourced from stray cow protection centres. In Mathura-Vrindavan region of UP, bodies are being cremated using cow dung-based biofuel for the past four years, according to reports.
Cow-dung wood is also used as an eco-friendly alternative for burning Holika during Holi festivities in Gujarat and Rajasthan.