Rajasthan's Bhilwara: 'Living Corpse' Procession, Women Banned, Youth Flees Before Cremation

• Bhilwara, Rajasthan observes a 428-year-old 'Murda Sawari' (living corpse procession) on Sheetala Saptami, seven days after Holika Dahan.
• A living young man is laid on a bier and paraded through the city from Chittor Walon Ki Haveli, with people throwing colors and dancing.
• Women are prohibited from attending due to the use of taunts and satire, which is believed to release negativity and foster social harmony.
• The 'corpse' interacts during the journey, sometimes sitting up or drinking water, drawing thousands from Bhilwara and surrounding districts.
• Before the symbolic cremation at Bade Mandir, the young man jumps off the bier and disappears into the crowd, with only the bier being cremated.