World | Mahatma Gandhi Gandhi Family Scatters Ashes 60 years after assassination, pacifist gets traditional burial in sea By Michael O'Connor Posted Jan 30, 2008 6:49 PM CST Copied People pay floral tribute at the memorial of the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of Martyr's Day in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi) (Associated Press) An urn of Mohandas Gandhi's ashes was poured into the Arabian Sea today by his great-granddaughter, the Guardian reports, finally giving the Indian pacifist a traditional Hindu burial 60 years after he was assassinated. Dozens of such urns had been distributed across India after Gandhi's death, allowing a connection with mourning countrymen but transgressing Hindu burial customs. While other urns carrying Gandhi's ashes still exist, today’s ceremony helped his family “close a chapter” surrounding Gandhi's rocky relationship with eldest son Harilal, who surrendered traditional funeral rituals to younger brothers. "The emotional aspect of this is that duties that Harilal should have performed have been completed by his descendants," a Gandhi great-grandson said. "It is of symbolic importance for us." Read These Next The 8 Democrats who bucked party on shutdown have something in common. Hormone therapy for menopause was unfairly demonized, says the FDA. Porn studio is US' 'most prolific copyright plaintiff.' Supreme Court won't revisit its ruling in favor of gay marriage. Report an error