After the nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, breathed her last on February 6, ashes of the late Bharat Ratna awardee were immersed by her family in the holy Ramkund on the banks of the Godavari River. The Nashik Police Administration put in place tight security measures as a crowd gathered to witness the iconic singer’s funeral ceremonies.
At the brief religious ceremony, her nephew Adinath Mangeshkar, sister Asha Bhosale, and other relatives were present. A short prayer ritual was held earlier with the family and a few close friends in attendance, performed by Hindu priests.
The ashes were then immersed in the Pavitra Ramkund, where, as per mythology, Lord Rama used to take his daily bath during the 14-year exile.
Lata Didi, as she was affectionately known, died on February 6 at the Breach Candy Hospital following many bouts of illness, including Covid-19.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, several Central and State cabinet officials, Bollywood celebrities, and others, as well as hundreds of her fans and followers, attended her public funeral at Shivaji Park that evening.
Adinath Mangeshkar collected the copper urns containing the ‘asthi’ (ashes) the next day and finally immersed them at the Pavitra Ramkund. Several leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Y. B. Chavan, and others, had their ashes immersed in the same sacred site in the past.
Meanwhile, since the singer’s tragic death, fans and music lovers have been mourning. Several celebrities and internet users have taken to social media to pay heartfelt respect to India’s singing Goddess, Lata Mangeshkar. “Kaise parichay du jo iss desh ki hi nahi, vishwa ki awaaz hai (how do I introduce someone who is not just the voice of the nation but the voice of the world),” Amitabh Bachchan said in a post.
Others who turned to social media to mourn the death of the renowned singer included Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Anushka Sharma, Akshay Kumar, and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
