Russian soldier's Hindu funeral held at Karnataka temple via video call

The final rites of Russian soldier Sergey Grablev, who died in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, were performed as per Hindu customs at the Sri Mahabaleshwara Temple in Karnataka’s Gokarna.

Grablev, a long-time devotee of Hinduism, had visited Gokarna regularly for the past 18 years and had even taken spiritual initiation in Varanasi.

Known to have a large following of admirers, he returned to active duty despite the war and was killed in action on April 28.

With his family unable to travel to India, the rituals were conducted under the guidance of priest V Prashant Hiregange, with Grablev’s relative Elena joining via video call.

Traditional rites including Narayanabali, which involves a fire ceremony aimed to liberate the soul and allow it to reach its ultimate destination and Pinda Daan, which includes offering balls of cooked rice mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds to ancestors, were carried out to offer peace to his soul, in keeping with Hindu customs.

The Sri Mahabaleshwara Temple in Gokarna is a historic temple built in the 4th Century AD by Mayur Sharma of the Kadamba dynasty.

Considered one of the seven Muktikshetras or Muktisthalas, sacred places of salvation, in Karnataka, the temple’s location near the Karwar beach also makes it a major spiritual and tourist destination.