German national cremated on banks of Ganga

Varanasi, Nov 16 (UNI) A German national, who died of blood cancer at a city hotel on November 13, was cremated as per his wishes at the riverine Harishchandra Ghat here this evening.

Official sources said the mortal remains of Schneider Hans Ulrich were consigned to flames at the mythologically-known cremation ground following a clearance from the German Embassy in New Delhi.

The 'Mukhagni' (sacred flame) to the funeral pyre was given by Ulrich's long time friend Ditier Walter amid chants of Vedic mantras by Tara, a German women living in Varanasi for the last many years.

Suffering from blood cancer, Ulrich (65) died at a hotel at Assi under Bhelupur police station area.

Later, a letter written by him was recovered from the hotel room, which mentioned his wish of spending his last days in Varanasi and being cremated as per Hindu traditions on the banks of the Ganga.

The letter written on October 8 last read ''It is known to the German authorities, that I intend to live the last months of my life in India precisely in Varanasi town. It is hereby confirmed that there is no objection to my plan to execute my cremation according to Hindu rites. I want to be cremated on the banks of the Ganga.

Owing to the delay in clearance from the German Embassy in New Delhi, the cremation took place three days after Ulrich's death.

UNI ARS VS PB BS1947