By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: A few hours before devotees offered prayers to the setting sun, the mortal remains of folk singer Sharda Sinha—celebrated as the face of Chhath—were consigned to flames at Gulbi Ghat in Patna. People paid tribute to her with tearful eyes. On Thursday at 10:30 am, her body was cremated with full state honours at Gulbi Ghat, with her son Anshuman Sinha lighting the funeral pyre. A large number of people, including former Union Minister Ashwini Choubey and former MP Ram Kripal Yadav, attended her funeral.
Earlier, Sharda Sinha’s body was taken to Gulbi Ghat from her residence in Rajendra Nagar, Patna. Her family members, along with her fans, accompanied her on her final journey, bearing her body with solemnity. During the farewell, the crowd chanted slogans of “Sharda Sinha Amar Rahe” (Long live Sharda Sinha) and “Chhathi Maiya Jai” (Hail Chhathi Maiya).
Sharda Sinha passed away on November 5 at AIIMS in Delhi. She took her last breath at around 9:20 pm on the first day of the Chhath festival. On the third day of Chhath, when offerings are made to the setting sun, she was returned to the five elements. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that her last rites would be conducted with full state honours, instructing the Patna District Magistrate to ensure all necessary arrangements were in place.
The BJP National President, JP Nadda, is scheduled to visit her residence at 7:50 pm to meet the family and pay his respects.
Sharda Sinha was cremated at Gulbi Ghat, the same place where her husband’s mortal remains were consigned in to the flames just 45–46 days earlier. Fulfilling her last wish, her family honoured her request to be cremated there. Following her husband’s death, she had posted a message on Facebook that read, “I will also come soon.” Overwhelmed by the loss, she began to fall ill and ultimately succumbed to cancer.
At the Gulbi ghat, a guard of honour was performed as part of her final rites.
