On December 11, a ghar wapasi ceremony took place in Hapur district, Uttar Pradesh, where 45 families, comprising 150 individuals, including women and children, embraced sanatan dharma. The event was marked by a ceremonial Ganga ritual at Brijghat, symbolising their formal return to the Sanatan Dharma. The families also performed the cremation of an elderly member according to Hindu rites and immersed the ashes in the sacred Ganga River to complete ghar wapasi.
In statements to the media, members of the group who did ghar wapasi revealed that their ancestors were originally Hindus who had converted to Islam under Mughal oppression. Describing their return to sanatan fold as a fulfillment of their ancestral legacy, they expressed a deep sense of connection to their roots.
The families originally hailed from Islamabad, Pakistan, before migrating to Delhi during the tumultuous period of Partition in 1947. Their decision to embrace sanatan dharma and do ghar wapasi was made four years ago, but they faced significant resistance from their community, which delayed the process. The recent passing of an elderly family member became a catalyst for them to move forward with their long-held desire to reconnect with their ancestral faith and do ghar wapasi.
In a deeply symbolic gesture, the families conducted the cremation of their elder’s remains according to Hindu customs and immersed the ashes in the Ganga River as part of ghar wapasi. This act marked a pivotal moment in their journey, solidifying their resolve to adopt Sanatan Dharma.
Led by Sansar Singh, formerly Salman Khan, the group performed Hindu rituals at Brijghat. Prayers were offered to Bhagwan Shiv and Mata Parvati, and all families formally adopted the Gaurishankar Gotra as part of ghar wapasi. Many individuals took on traditional Hindu names, such as Sanju, Satish, Balwan, Rajesh, Sanjay, and Shashi, reflecting their new identity and commitment to the faith.
The families pledged to observe Hindu festivals, rituals, and fasting traditions in the future, embracing their new spiritual path wholeheartedly. In a statement, Sansar Singh shared his feelings of fulfilment upon ghar wapasi, describing the transition as a dream come true and a return to their roots.
To further solidify their ties to Sanatan Dharma, the families decided to register their lineage with a local priest at Brijghat. This registration not only formalises their ghar wapasi but also ensures that future generations remain connected to the traditions and values of their newfound faith.
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