Asthi-Visarjana means "scattering the bones" in Sanskrit.
- One of the final rituals (antyeshthi samskara) associated with death is known as antyeshthi samskara.
- Bits of bone and ash gathered from the cremation site in the asthi-sanchayana ceremony are immersed in the Ganges or another holy river in this ritual.
Because the gathered bones may have been stored for years before a family member was able to transport them to a pilgrimage site (tirtha) to conduct this ritual, this is the last ceremonial for the deceased.
- Modern transportation has altered this rhythm somewhat, making asthi-visarjana more frequent soon after death but before to the sapindikarana ritual on the twelfth day.
- This rite is still extensively practiced in contemporary India and is significant for at least two reasons:
- on the one hand, it symbolizes the dead's redemption by consigning their ashes to the holy waters,
- and on the other side, it provides final ceremonial closure for the living.
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