“Homecoming” Ceremony in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda: Muslim Family Returns to Hindu Fold Amid Vedic Rituals.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | Banda (UP) | April 2, 2026:: In a development that drew local attention, a family in Darasenda village under the Pahari police station limits of Banda district formally returned to the Hindu faith through a ceremonial “homecoming” ritual conducted with traditional Vedic practices.

Manendra Singh, along with his wife and three children, participated in the ceremony, which was officiated by the Jyoti Kalash Yatra—a sacred flame procession associated with Shantikunj, Haridwar. The rituals were performed amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, marking what organizers described as a ghar wapsi (return to ancestral faith). During the ceremony, Manendra’s wife, previously known as Shabnam, was given the name Sapna Singh as part of the ritual proceedings.

Family Background and Personal Choice

According to Manendra Singh, his family’s association with Islam dates back to his grandfather, Shahzad Singh, who had converted after marrying a Muslim woman. Over time, many members of the extended family continued in the Islamic faith and regularly offered Namaz. However, Manendra stated that he personally did not follow Islamic practices and had long felt inclined toward returning to his ancestral roots.

He noted that his children—Sonam, Suhani, and Ayush Singh—were raised with Hindu names, reflecting his personal beliefs even before the formal ceremony. “I had already made up my mind to return,” he said, adding that the arrival of the Jyoti Kalash Yatra in the village provided the opportunity to formalize the transition.

Rituals and आयोजन

The event was organized under the aegis of the Dharmjagran Vibhag (Religious Awakening Wing) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Priests and seers from multiple religious centers—including Gayatri Shaktipeeth and Bada Math—conducted a series of rituals such as Havan (sacred fire offering), Pujan (worship), and the Yajnopavit (sacred thread ceremony) for the entire family.

The ceremony was attended by several local and organizational figures, including Ramnarayan Tripathi (Manager, Gayatri Shaktipeeth), Varun Prapannacharya (head of Dharmjagran), Atul Pratap Singh (RSS District Secretary), Vijay Kishore and Shyam Singh Parihar (RSS City Secretaries), and Neeraj Gupta (District Secretary, Vishwa Hindu Parishad). Other local participants such as Amit Mishra and Ramsharan Tiwari were also present.

Broader Context

Such “homecoming” ceremonies, often termed ghar wapsi, have periodically taken place in different parts of India and are typically organized by socio-religious groups who describe them as a return to ancestral traditions. These events sometimes attract attention due to their social and cultural implications, particularly in regions with mixed religious histories.

Local authorities have not reported any law-and-order concerns in connection with the Banda event, which concluded peacefully with participation from villagers and community members.
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_Inputs from Amar Ujala.