Madhya Pradesh farmer performs his OWN funeral rituals while alive

A farmer from Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district has drawn attention after performing his own Pind Daan and terahvi rituals while still alive, ahead of donating his body to a medical institution after death. Ramlotan Kushwaha, a resident of Atarvediya village, said the unusual step was taken to counter social perceptions that body donation is done to avoid funeral expenses.

Kushwaha, who is known locally for preserving hundreds of medicinal herbs and was previously mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat, said he had already pledged his mortal remains for medical research and education. To reinforce his decision, he chose to complete traditional post-death rituals during his lifetime.

The incident has sparked discussion on body donation awareness in India, with family members also saying the act is encouraging people to think differently about donating mortal remains for medical use.

Kushwaha explained that he had already committed to donating his body to a medical college. He said he wanted to complete the rituals associated with death in advance, including Pind Daan performed in Prayagraj and the 13th-day terahvi ceremony.

He said, "Before the thirteenth-day ritual, I went to Allahabad (now Prayagraj) and performed the Pind-Daan ceremony of myself on the 11th day. Today marks the completion of the thirteenth day of rituals. So today, instead of feeding Brahmins, we are serving food here to our relatives. Let me also explain the reason behind this. I had already pledged to donate my body to a medical institution, and I thought I should complete this act while I am still alive. The reason I became a doctor (Vaidya) is because I learned from someone else during my studies, which helped me reach where I am today. Keeping that in mind, I decided to donate my body so that medical students studying to become doctors can learn through my organs and body in the future."

Family members supported the move, saying it was intended to spread awareness about mortal remains donation in India and encourage more people to consider the idea.

A relative of Ramlotan said, "Actually, he has taken a pledge for body donation so that his body can help medical college students in their medical studies and research. Since he has donated his body to a medical college, he decided to perform his own terahvi and death anniversary rituals while alive in order to spread awareness in society and encourage a new way of thinking.”

Locals and relatives noted that traditional customs were still followed during the ceremony, including serving food to guests. However, the purpose behind the ritual was rooted in modern thinking—supporting medical education and research through body donation.

Kushwaha, already known for his work with medicinal herbs, reiterated that his inspiration came from the idea of giving back to society in the same way he had learned from others during his journey as a practitioner of traditional knowledge.