People across India perform Pind Daan during ‘Pitru Paksha Amavasya

Haridwar: On the occasion of Pitru Paksha Amavasya, people performed the Pitru Tarpan and Pind Daan rituals for their ancestors at various sacred locations, including the Ganga Ghat in Haridwar, the Sarayu River in Ayodhya, and Howrah’s Ganga Ghat.

Person from Chandigarh shared their experience at Haridwar’s Ganga Ghat, stating, “We followed all the rituals meticulously and felt a sense of fulfillment. We also attended the Ganga Aarti today.” Another devotee mentioned, “Today is Pitra Pitru Paksha Amavasya; we bathed and offered Pind. I came here with my mother-in-law and husband, and it felt wonderful to worship in such a crowded place.”

Bhavna, visiting Ayodhya’s Saryu Ghat, remarked on the communal spirit as many offered Pind to their ancestors, seeking their blessings. Bhagwan Prasad Sharma, who traveled from Surat, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to perform Pind Daan for his forefathers, saying, “Offering Pind for their ‘mukti’ is significant, and bathing in the holy Sarayu River is a privilege.”

Each year, numerous people take a sacred dip in various rivers across India and perform Pind Daan on the final day of Pitru Paksha, known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya. According to Hindu beliefs, the soul of a deceased person lingers in the material world, and Pind Daan provides relief to the soul, facilitating its transition to a peaceful afterlife.

Pitru Paksha, a 16-day lunar period beginning with Mahalaya, is dedicated to honoring ancestors (Pitras) and signals the start of ‘Devi Paksha,’ which celebrates the arrival of Goddess Durga. People believe that performing Pind Daan aids in granting salvation to their ancestors and paves the way for their journey to heaven.