Complying with time-honoured Hindu tradition Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj's divine ashes will be scattered in the holy waters at four places. These four holy places are Prayag, Varanasi, Gangasagar and Vrindavan. For a material person this ceremony signifies a blessing for the deceased. For divine personalities, the ceremony is performed so that the holy waters may become even holier. The ceremony is called 'Pushp Visarjan.' The first place visited was Prayag.

Early in the morning on Friday, Nov. 22nd, devotees started for nearby Prayag and Triveni Sangam. This is where the Ganga and the Yamuna meet, with a third divine river Sarasvati being invisible. This is the first holy place where Pushp Visarjan ceremony was held.

Hundreds of devotees gathered under a spacious tent. The stage was decorated with a large photo of Shri Kripaluji Maharaj against the backdrop. The sweet voice of Shri Maharaj Ji led devotees in keertan. The chant Hari Bol by Shri Kripaluji Maharaj created an intense devotional fervour. Shri Maharaj Ji's two sons and grandsons sat on the stage with the divine remains of Shri Maharaj Ji in a kalash (pot) covered with a red cloth and decorated with a garland of fragrant marigolds. An exceptionally fragrant incense and the Sanskrit chants by pundits against the background of Shri Kripaluji Maharaj's sweet voice created a highly devotional and emotional atmosphere.

After the rituals, devotees walked to the river and sat in many boats, with the family members of Shri Kripaluji Maharaj in a special boat carrying the divine remains. Some had brought along paper boats containing flowers and clay lamp. They were setting the flowers in the water, creating a beautiful scene. At some distance from the shore the ashes were offered to the holy river.

Some of the devotees took a dip in the divine waters while others collected Ganga jal in bottles. Everyone offered pranam to the merciful Shri Kripaluji Maharaj in their mind as the boats made their way to the shore.

Tomorrow the devotees will leave in buses and other vehicles between 1 and 2 am as they make their way to Varanasi. There everyone will proceed to Manikarnika Ghat for Pushp Visarjan.