What is Kapala Kriya? Know the Procedure and its Significance in Hinduism

‘Kapala Kriya’ i.e. the ritual of piercing the incinerating skull with a stick of the deceased person during their cremation to make a hole or break it, so as to release the soul Apart from this the skull is not easily burnt and the human brain is bulky, therefore, to prevent the incomplete burning of the body, it is important to open the skull.

The family members stay until the body is entirely burnt.

As many as 16 rites have special significance in Hinduism, of which the last rite or cremation after the death of the person is considered the most important compared to other sanskars, because through this sanskar the body made up of the five Mahabhutas is again merged into the five Mahabhutas.

According to Hindu beliefs, this ritual also determines a person’s salvation, afterlife and rebirth, hence on the death of any Hindu, the last rites are performed with full rituals. Even in this ritual, one action is considered to be most important and is compulsorily performed, which is called Kapala Kriya, which is heart-breaking to see, but because of its connection with the person’s birth after birth, it is necessary. Let us find out about the method and importance of this Kapala Kriya.

Why is Kapala Kriya performed?
There are many reasons for performing Kapala Kriya during the last rites of a person. The first of which is considering the Kapal as the door of salvation, the opening of which is considered necessary for the salvation of the deceased. Apart from this, Kapal Kriya is performed as there is a possibility of the Kapal being misused by the Tantrik. At the same time, it is also believed that if Kapala Kriya is not performed, the rituals of the current birth remain with the deceased, which troubles them in their next life.

Also only after performing Kapala Kriya, the creation of Panch Mahabhutas is once again merged into the Panch Mahabhutas.