Asthi visarjan (Hindu immersion of ashes)

Asthi visarjan is the Hindu rite of immersing the cremated remains (asthi) in flowing water. The traditional location is the Ganges, particularly at Haridwar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, or Rishikesh, where dedicated services and pandits assist with the ceremony. In UK practice, families typically choose between four routes:

• Travel to India to immerse the ashes in the Ganges, often combined with pandit-led rites at one of the named pilgrimage sites.
• A UK river, particularly the Thames. Specialist boat services in London can take families out for the ceremony.
• The open sea, by boat from a UK port.
• Combined — divide the ashes, immerse some in the UK and take some to India for a later ceremony.

There is usually no separate licence required for scattering ashes in UK rivers or at sea, but families should follow Environment Agency and equivalent devolved guidance, avoid putting non-biodegradable items (urns, plastic flowers) into the water, and check local landowner or council rules where relevant. The crematorium normally releases the ashes the next working day or within a few days of cremation; the asthi visarjan can take place soon after or weeks later, fitted to the family's plans.

→ Hindu funeral traditions in the UK · Antyesti · Faith-specific funerals

Last verified: 2 May 2026 against the Hindu Council UK guidance.