What should be done if the urn or ashes are accidentally dropped or mishandled during travel or before the ritual?

Accidents can happen, my child. If such an unfortunate incident occurs:

• Remain Calm: Do not panic.
• Collect Respectfully: Gather the ashes as completely and respectfully as possible. If spilled on clean ground, collect the ashes along with a small amount of the soil.
• Purification: Inform the Pandit upon arrival in Varanasi. They can perform specific purification mantras (Prayashchit) before proceeding with the Visarjan to remedy any inadvertent disrespect or contamination.
• The intention (Bhavana) remains most important. The deities understand human fallibility.