Indian family holds funeral for their ‘lucky car’
A unique and emotional farewell to a car in Gujarat’s Amreli district has captured the attention of many. A Gujarati family recently held a funeral ceremony for their “lucky car,” a 12-year-old Wagon R, spending a hefty Rs 4 lakh on the event attended by 1,500 people.
The ceremony involved a 15-foot deep pit, where the vehicle was placed with rituals. The Wagon R, decorated with marigold garlands and rose petals on the roof, was lowered into the pit with people capturing the unusual sight on their devices.
Sanjay Polara, the car’s owner, shared with the Times of India that the vehicle had brought prosperity and respect to his family over the years. “I bought this car nearly 12 years ago, and it brought prosperity to the family. Apart from seeing success in business, my family also gained respect. The vehicle proved lucky for my family and me. Hence, instead of selling it, I gave it a samadhi at my farm as a tribute,” Polara said.
Polara shared that he intends to plant a tree at the burial site as a tribute, symbolising the car’s significance for future generations. The tree will stand as a reminder that the family’s “lucky car” lies beneath it.
In preparation for the ceremony, Polara sent a four-page invitation to approximately 2,000 people from his village. The invite read, “This car has been like a family member since 2006, and it brought us good fortunes. We gained prosperity, and our reputation in society was elevated. We want this car in our memory forever, and that’s why we have planned a samadhi (burial) of this car,” as reported by TOI.
As the video went viral, netizens quickly saw the humor in it and shared their reactions. One person wrote, “Archeological survey will be excavating wagonr in year 3024.” Another user quipped, “people in future are gonna trip on this.” A third user wrote, “This happens only in India.”