Can Asthi Visarjan be performed in Varanasi if the cremation was done elsewhere?

Yes. If cremation took place in your home city, the ashes can be collected in a clean urn and brought to Varanasi for immersion in the Ganga at Manikarnika, Harishchandra, or another accepted ghat. Per the Garuda Purana, if the urn is kept pure during transport (hung on a tree, not placed on the ground, protected from impurities), the immersion at Kashi carries the full spiritual merit. Our pandits assist families arriving by train or flight with: ghat selection, boat arrangements, the complete Asthi Visarjan vidhi, and the Sanskrit mantras “Namo Astu Dharmaya” (at entry) and “Sa me Prito Bhavatu” (during immersion). The ceremony typically takes 2-3 hours and can be scheduled on the same day as arrival.