Mandya: Aged woman arranges self-cremation, lights her own pyre!


Daijiworld Media Network – Mandya (SP)

Mandya, Apr 24: Chikkatayamma (70) from Tailur village near Maddur in the district, without dropping any hint of what she was proposing to do, got up in the wee hours on Wednesday April 23, set aside rice and oil as per custom, lighted a lamp, prepared her own pyre, and torched it after climbing the pyre, duly getting cremated on her own. No one in the village knows what prompted her to take this extreme step.

Chikkatayamma is survived by three sons, four daughters, and several grandchildren. Her children have settled elsewhere. Her relatives recollected that the lady often expressed her desire that her death should not cause problems for anyone, and that she does not like people to carry her body from one place to the other.  In the recent past, she had stayed with her son, Ranganath, in Bangalore, before returning to her native village for participating in election. After casting her vote, she stayed alone in the house left behind by her late husband.

At around 2 am, after making all arrangements as per Hindu customs, Chikkatayamma prepared the pyre in the backyard of her home, and lit it after pouring kerosene. The neighbours, who sensed that something was burning, got up and came running to the spot. They saw that the old lady was burning in the pyre, and doused the flames. However, the old lady had breathed her last by them.

Her children and other relatives were informed about the tragedy. They came on Wednesday morning, after which more firewood was added to the same pyre and funeral was conducted as per procedure. District superintendent of police Bhushan G Borase, said that the police have registered a case of unnatural death on their own relating to Chikkatayamma’s death, although no one came forward to file an official complaint.

The villagers expressed surprise at the sudden turn of events. They said Chikkatayamma’s children were financially stable, very caring, and were willing to take good care of her. ‘She also got family pension from railways, and did not have any serious health issues,’ they added. They felt that the only intention of the lady would have been not to bother others in the issue of conducting her funeral.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Rita, Germany

    Fri, Apr 25 2014

    such a serious step to take ,self in burning pyre tobe there alive,needs really unnatural Courage.Still it is a suicide whatever her Intention was.may be she had previously a bad experience or talk with Family ,or None of them were ready to take her in their Family must have lead to do this.or mentally she was not ok.who knows the truth?may her Soul rest in peace .

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mohammed, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    3 sons and 4 daughters and She was alone, don't you think it is far better to have a coconut tree rather than having so many children.......

    DisAgree [7] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • stan, dubai

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    We have to be ready for Self cremation because all the children were busy in their life. Today this woman thought this type of cremation, in the future may be we have to think?????

    DisAgree [30] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Flavian, Mangalore/Kuwait

    Thu, Apr 24 2014



    God will never encourage to take ones own life. We all know who influences to take such a drastic step.
    Facts will be known only after thorough investigation.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Fernandes, Dubai

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    It is suicide. Something is wrong somewhere!!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Henry misquith, Bahrain

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    Nonsense. .... stupid lady....

    DisAgree [5] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Achhu, Mlore

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    3 sons and 4 daughters and She was alone, looks like problems in family, need investigation.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • C. D Souza, Mangalore

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    If no one saw her making the actual preparations before her death, why is this news story reporting this as a fact? Something very suspicious here. It is extremely difficult for a person to remain on a burning pyre . Natural instinct will make her to jump off the pyre. Unless everything else is ruled out conclusively, this should be treated as a murder and investigated thoroughly.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [52] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prashanth, Mangalore/Muscat

    Thu, Apr 24 2014

    If god gives me the courage to do that, I would go for the same death! Death in Peace! BTW salutes to the great women Chikkatayamma!

    DisAgree [62] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse


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