Patna: ‘Dom Rajas’ continue to “dominate” over Pandits at crematoriums in Bihar in so far as their fees are concerned.As per the cremation rate fixed by the state govt for performing the last rites, a person will have to pay Rs500 to Dom Raja, just double than the priests. However, they will need to pay only Rs150 to barber.The state govt fixed the rate chart shortly after it readied Bihar’s first state-of-the-art crematorium at Bansghat in Patna. The crematorium being run and maintained by Isha Foundation, is providing people the opportunity to perform the last rites of their near and dear ones in a dignified manner, officials said on Tuesday.The facility has 18 cremation platforms, including four electric cremation units, six wood-based cremation units and eight open (traditional) cremation sites. The six wood-fired furnace crematoriums are eco-friendly as it pollutes less, an official said, adding that 18 cremations can take place simultaneously and up to 50 cremations in a day, making it one of the highest-capacity crematoriums in the region. Two more wood furnace cremation sites will be converted into LPG furnace in a fortnight, he said.Authorities have also arranged two ponds having Ganga water at the crematorium—one for taking bath and the other for immersion of ashes. In June last year, the Bihar govt partnered with Isha Outreach—the social and environmental welfare arm of Isha Foundation—for five crematorium sites in Patna, Begusarai (Simariya), Bhagalpur, Gaya and Saharsa while the process for a sixth site in Chapra is currently in progress, a foundation offiical Madhu Ranjan said.
