Khordha woman performs her father’s last rites, breaks gender norms by conducting tonsuring ritual as well

A young woman from Balianta’s Sarkana village in Odisha’s Khordha district has drawn attention for performing the last rites of her father, including rituals traditionally undertaken by sons. Her actions have been widely noted in the locality as a reflection of changing social norms, where daughters are increasingly taking on responsibilities once considered exclusive to male members of the family.

Performed Mukhaagni at Swargadwar

According to reports, Deeptilata Mohanty, a resident of Sarkana village, performed the mukhaagni for her father Sharata Mohanty, who passed away on December 1. With no son in the family, Deeptilata carried out the cremation rituals at Swargadwar.

Sharata Mohanty is survived by two daughters, Preeti, the elder daughter who is married and lives with her in-laws