Patna: A range of food and beverage facilities, including traditional sweets such as rasgulla and laung-latta alongside items like puri and jalebi, will be made available at a newly constructed modern crematorium in Patna, officials have said.
The facility at Bans Ghat, described by the state government as Bihar’s first high-tech crematorium, was inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar at the conclusion of his “Samriddhi Yatra”. Preparations are now underway to begin full operations.
As part of the planned services, a dedicated canteen has been constructed within the crematorium complex. Officials said around 13 food items will be offered, including puri, jalebi, vegetable curry, vegetarian thalis, rasgulla, gulab jamun, laung-latta, hing kachori, samosa, tea and bottled water.
According to officials, the aim is to ensure that families and attendees participating in funeral rites have access to basic refreshments within the premises. All items will be sold at fixed rates, with authorities saying the arrangement has been designed to prevent arbitrary pricing and ensure affordability during funeral gatherings.
The procurement and supply of food items will be managed by the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCo). The agency has also been entrusted with the maintenance of the crematorium for five years, as it served as the construction agency for the project under Patna Smart City Limited.
Discussions are also underway with the Isha Foundation regarding the potential operational management of the facility, officials added.
In addition to food services, the crematorium complex will also include an extensive retail provision for funeral-related goods. A designated area near the “Moksha Dwar” (gateway to salvation) will offer approximately 45 items used in last rites and associated rituals.
These include various types of cloth, including deep-coloured fabrics, lace-trimmed and plain varieties, and “Ram Naam” printed cloth strips, as well as essentials such as dhotis, sarees, ghee, sandalwood, deodar wood, incense sticks, camphor, rose water, barley, matchboxes and materials used in havan rituals. Items such as panchmeva, a mixture of five dry fruits, will also be available.
Officials said quotations have been invited for the supply of these goods to ensure standardised pricing and quality control.
The facility will also provide pre-packed funeral essentials, including 40 kg each of sal and mango wood, along with a jhalsi plant, offered at fixed rates. Authorities said this arrangement is intended to reduce the need for families to source materials from multiple vendors during funeral proceedings.
The crematorium is designed to support both modern and traditional cremation practices. Alongside electric or gas-based systems, facilities for wood-based cremation have also been retained within the complex, allowing families to conduct last rites according to customary practices.
Officials said the integration of administrative services, ritual supplies and food facilities in a single complex is intended to streamline arrangements during cremation ceremonies while reducing logistical difficulties for bereaved families.
