The last resting place of a departed ascetic.
The initiate's ritualized death, in which he (or, much more
rarely, woman) conducts his (or her) own burial rituals, is followed by rebirth
with a new name and identity as part of the ascetic initiation process.
As a result, when an ascetic dies physically, no funeral
ceremonies (antyeshthi) are conducted since the ascetic is (ritually) already
dead.
The corpse is often buried, usually in a sitting posture as
if in meditation, after being weighted down with boulders and thrown into a river.
However, well-known and strong ascetics are frequently
buried, usually in a sitting position as if in meditation.
Such persons are often buried in locations connected with
their presence throughout their lifetimes, whether it be a room, a building, or
a specific outdoor location.
According to common belief, ascetics are not dead, but
rather rapt in intense concentration (samadhi).
Many notable ascetics' samadhi shrines had shrines erected
over them, which may become pilgrimage sites for individuals seeking the
ascetic's continued benefits (ashirvad).
