Archive · 21 Nov 2025
Villagers Mourn Monkey as Hanuman Incarnation with Human-like Funeral
When a monkey died in a village in Madhya Pradesh, India, the villagers believed it was an incarnation of Lord Hanuman.
They gave it a human-like funeral, including a cremation and a big feast for the whole village on the twelfth day.
Nearly 4,000 villagers in Madhya Pradesh hosted a funeral feast for a monkey
The monkey was believed to be an incarnation of Lord Hanuman
Villagers performed a full Hindu cremation and immersed ashes in Shipra River
A large mrityu bhoj was organized on the twelfth day with food for thousands
Similar incidents have occurred in the district previously
- Who
- Villagers in Darawari, Madhya Pradesh
- What
- Hosted a funeral feast for a monkey believed to be Lord Hanuman
- When
- On Wednesday and the twelfth day after the monkey's death
- Where
- Darawari village in Madhya Pradesh's Rajgarh district
- Why
- Because they believed the monkey was an incarnation of Lord Hanuman
Villagers' Belief
Scientific Perspective
Monkey's Status
Villagers' Belief
Believed to be an incarnation of Lord Hanuman
Scientific Perspective
A wild animal
- Monkey's Cause of Death
- Touching a high-tension power line
- Number of Villagers
- Nearly 4,000
- Funds Raised for Feast
- Nearly ₹1 lakh
- Food Prepared
- Puris, Sev, Curries, Sugar, and other vegetarian dishes
- Distance Travelled by Guests
- Up to 35 km
- Previous Similar Incident
- In 2021, Dalupura village residents held a funeral for a langur