Wood shortage at Puri's Swargadwar delays cremations, raises serious concerns

In the city of Puri in India, there is a very holy place called Swargadwar where families bring people who have passed away to be cremated.

Many people believe that being cremated there helps the soul reach moksha, which is like eternal peace.

But Swargadwar has run out of firewood, which is needed to light the funeral fires.

Because of this, families have to wait for hours to say goodbye to their loved ones.

One day, six families waited from early morning until after 9 o'clock before the cremations could begin.

Every day, more than 100 bodies arrive there, and each cremation needs a very large amount of wood.

The shortage happened because heavy rain delayed the delivery of firewood.

The people in charge are asking the government to send more wood quickly and to build a new modern furnace.

They hope this will help families perform their final rites without long, painful waits.