The disposal of dead human bodies is carried out in many ways, generally depending on one’s religion or faith. A majority of Hindus cremate their dead bodies. A few Hindus belonging to the Lingayat community bury their dead. Lingayats are the devotees of God Shiva, and Karnataka is dominated by the Lingayats. Most Christians and Muslims bury their dead. However, the Parsis, followers of Zoroastrianism in India, leave their dead in a Tower of Silence. According to Parsi tradition, a group of Iranian Zoroastrians emigrated from Persia to escape religious persecution by the Muslim majority after the Arab conquest. Since … Continue reading Vulture Crisis in Mumbai: How Ancient Parsi Rituals Face Modern Challenges