Jharigam, May 12: Raghuram Nayak (52) of Jharigam in Nabarangpur district has come into the spotlight for performing the last rites of more than 100 deceased persons single-handedly.
Raghu, who works as a washerman by profession, runs a small laundry business at his home in Jharigam to support his livelihood. However, performing funeral rites at the cremation ground has become his passion.
Whenever he receives news of a death in Jharigam, he immediately reaches the place, accompanies the body to the cremation ground, and performs the last rites as per Hindu customs. Regardless of the cause of death, he has never stepped back from this responsibility.
According to Raghu, he began assisting in funeral rituals while studying in Class 8. Gradually, he started performing the rituals himself. He says that he has now completed over 100 cremations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people were afraid to even touch dead bodies, Raghu stepped forward without hesitation and performed the last rites, earning widespread respect for his humanitarian service.
Due to illness in recent years, Raghu is no longer able to perform the cremations actively. However, he remains present and guides the process. His younger brothers, Saty Nayak and Gobind Nayak, are now carrying forward the responsibility of performing the last rites.
Raghuram Nayak’s noble work has been widely appreciated across the region, and he has earned a unique identity in Jharigam as a true “companion of the last journey.”
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