Mombasa billionaire Hasmukh Patel’s last journey

The body of the late Mombasa billionaire Hasmukh Patel will be removed from the Pandya Memorial Hospital morgue at 8 am on Sunday.

Family members will be the only ones allowed to witness the body being removed.

The body will then be carried in a special casket, and in a sitting position, and will be taken round the about five Hindu temples in Mombasa.

“Mzee will not be lying. He will be seated, a sign that he is not gone completely but still with us somehow. He will be watching,” a source in the family told the Star.  

From Pandya, the cortege will use Moi Avenue, through the railway station and onto Haile Selasie Avenue, where it will make the first stop at the first temple opposite the Quickmart Supermarket, near the now closed feeding centre, which he funded.

This will be streamed live on YouTube.

“There, there will be a five-minute stop for prayers before proceeding to the next temple,” the source told the Star.

The body will then be taken to the temple opposite Royal Court Hotel, where he used to sometimes worship and also where he had set-up charity offices.

This is where thousands of needy residents used to converge for help with school fees, hospital bills and other requirements.

“There will be a longer stop here because it is also where he used to sit in the evenings after work to witness how his charity services were being conducted,” the insider told the Star.

The body will then be moved to the other temples in Nyali and will make its last stop at New Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Hall along Links Road, behind the Shree Swaminarayan Academy and SOS School in Nyali.

This is where there will be a main service. It is also where his son had his wedding.

This is the place where dignitaries will converge at around 11 am.

Sources say he played a significant role in the construction of the temples and that is why his body will be taken round all of them.

It is highly expected that President William Ruto will attend the funeral before flying out to China in the evening.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka are expected to attend the funeral.

Jomvu MP Badi Twalib, who called for the erection of a statue or naming of a road or street in Hasmukh Patel’s name to honour him and his legacy, said he will be attending the funeral too.

Kisauni’s Rashid Bedzimba, who was at the Pandya Memorial Hospital to witness the body being preserved Thursday when Patel died, said he will be in attendance.

Mvita MP Masoud Machele called for calm saying Mombasa, although has lost a cornerstone, will remember Patel forever. He will be in attendance.

From the Cutchi Leva Patel Samaj Hall after the service, the body will then be taken to the crematorium for the final rite, cremation.

Police have already warned that there will be disruption of traffic and motorists are advised to take alternative routes to their destinations.

After death, Hindus believe that the physical body serves no purpose, and therefore does not need to be preserved.

They choose to cremate their loved ones as they believe it is the quickest way to release the soul and help with reincarnation.

The family will carry the casket to the crematorium site.

Traditionally, Hindu funeral rites take the form of chants or mantras which are overseen by an officiant, usually a Hindu priest or the eldest son of the bereaved.

They will gather the family and friends and lead them in the various Hindu death rituals.

These include washing the body with ghee, honey, milk, and yoghurt, placing essential oils on the head of the deceased (turmeric for females, sandalwood for males), placing the palms in a position of prayer and tying the big toes together.

Dressing the deceased’s body in smart clothes (contemporary) or wrapping it in a white sheet (traditional) is also done.

Placing a garland of flowers and ‘pinda’ (rice balls) around their loved ones is witnessed and a lamp may be put near the head, or sprinkling water on the body.

Also, during funerals, the casket is carried into the crematorium, feet first, while mourners recite prayers.

An open casket displays the deceased, and guests are expected to view the body. This should be done respectfully and without touching the person who has died.

A Hindu priest and senior family members conduct the cremation ceremony, known as the ‘mukhagni’.

Traditionally, the mukhagni is only attended by men, however, modern Hindu funerals allow women to attend.

The day after a Hindu funeral, the ashes are scattered over a sacred body of water or a place of importance to the deceased.

Unlike other religions, black is considered inappropriate for a Hindu funeral.

Instead, funeral etiquette is that mourners, both male and female, should dress in white.

No head covering is required for either sex and open-toe shoes are also acceptable.

Women should dress conservatively, covering their arms and knees.

Usually, Hindu funeral services do not last longer than 30 minutes. However, this will vary depending on the wishes of the deceased, and their family.

Traditionally, the Hindu mourning period ranges from 10 to 30 days.

Throughout this time, families may display a picture of their loved one, adorned with a garland of flowers, somewhere in their house. Visitors are also welcome during this period.

On the 13th day of mourning, it is common for the grieving family to hold a ceremony, known as ‘preta-karma’, where they perform rituals to help release the soul of the deceased for reincarnation.

Additionally, on the first anniversary of the death, the family may host a memorial event that honours the life of their loved one.