An Indian-Australian community leader has urged residents to help counter what he says are false and damaging online reviews about Harishchandra Ghat, a designated sacred site for the dispersal of ashes in Adelaide.
Rajendra Pandey, President of Hindu Economic Forum Australia, stated that inaccurate comments had led to the Harishchandra Ghat Adelaide page being marked as closed, despite the site having operated for more than two years with council approval.
“I request the community to please help counter the false and negative review on our Harishchandra Ghat Adelaide page,” Mr Pandey said.
“Someone is calling it a lie and has managed to get it marked as closed.
Unfortunately, in two years of operation and numerous users from our community, no one cared to leave positive feedback, but those who don’t use it have the time and motivation to do so.”
Harishchandra Ghat is located on the banks of the Port Adelaide River and provides a culturally significant place for the immersion of ashes following cremation. The site was established with the support of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield in partnership with the Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia (SA).
Historically, Hindu cremations took place near rivers, with families immersing ashes in flowing water as part of the final rites. The Adelaide site allows Hindus, as well as Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs and others, to perform these rituals locally in a respectful and accessible setting.
The ghat is named after the famous Harishchandra Ghat in Varanasi, beside the Ganges River, where it is traditionally believed cremation grants moksha, or salvation.
According to council documents, in 2024, the community was allocated a site at Snowden Beach for weekday “water ceremonies” without the need for permits or fees. The council also approved a $75,000 budget for the construction of a staircase to ensure safe access to the river.
The site is managed and maintained by Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia (SA) and is reserved for the Hindu community’s use from Monday to Friday during specified morning hours. Community leaders stress that users must comply with council regulations and guidelines to ensure the space remains available.
Mr Pandey said community support was now crucial to safeguard the future of the site.
“This place exists because of collective effort and understanding. We need the same collective responsibility to protect it,” he said.
Regulations for scattering ashes vary across Australia, and councils assess such requests based on land-management responsibilities. Supporters of Harishchandra Ghat say the Adelaide initiative demonstrates how culturally sensitive practices can be accommodated within existing laws when communities and councils work together.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
