Sacrifice, regeneration and gifts: Mortuary rituals among Hindu Newars of Kathmandu

The Hindu Newars of Kathmandu, like many Hindu communities elsewhere, consider their whole life, and especially the life cycle rituals they undergo, as a preparation for death and more importantly, life after death. Further, they believe that in cremating the dead they are offering the corpse to the gods. This is why it is essential that Hindus perform life cycle rituals (samkaras), which purify them and confer on them the necessary social attributes so that when they die, their bodies are suitable offerings to the gods.