17-Day Pitru Paksha Mela in Gaya

Related Topics:Rituals and TraditionsShraadhTemples and Pilgrimages

Gaya is world-famous for the Pitru Paksha fair and lakhs of people visit Gaya on this Pitru Paksha period to participate in the 17-day long fair. As the annual Pitru Paksha Mela begins in Gaya in Bihar this year, Hindus from far and wide have started visiting Gaya to perform the Pitru Paksha Shraadh and honour their ancestors. This time around every year during Pitru Paksha, Hindu devotees from across the country and abroad throng the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya, the place believed to be one of the most important places for Pind Daan since time immemorial. This year, the Mela began on September 29, 2023, and one can see the crowd reaching in large numbers to offer their homage (Shraadh) to their forefathers in this world-famous Pitru Paksha Mela.

On the very first day of the Mela, the statute (Vidhan) of Pinda Daan is to be observed in Punpun Patna or Gaya Godavari. Hindus from all over the country and world will gather here from September 28 to October 14 to perform Pinda Daan for their ancestors. The Mela was inaugurated on September 29, 2023. During this period of 17 days, people will have about 55 Pinda Vedis (platforms to perform Pind Daan) for Pind Daan to their ancestors to help them move to Brahmalok from Pitru Lok for their Salvation (Moksha). 

Gaya in the Eastern Indian state of Bihar is one of the 55 most revered places for Hindus to offer Pind Daan or Shraadh to their ancestors or forefathers. Every year during ‌‌the 16-day Pitra Paksha period, Pitra Paksha Mela is organised, the main inaugural function of which is organised at Vishnupad Temple. This place finds mention even in the Sanatan Hindu scriptures and known since time unknown for Shraadh ceremonies in which Hindus (in lakhs) from across the world come here during these 16 days time to offer homage for the departed souls of their forefathers on the banks of the Falgu River. Falgu River in Gaya finds reference in Ramayan and Gaya also finds mention in Mahabharat. 

Significance of Pitru Paksha and Pind Daan

According to Sanatan Hindu rituals and traditions, performing ‘Pind Daan’ for forefathers or ancestors during the ‘Pitru Paksha’ period is considered a very auspicious deed. Pind Daan is one of the very significant rites in the Hindu religion.

In Sanatan Hindu Dharma, there is a belief in life after death and rebirth. Therefore, it is believed, that if Shraadh or Pind Daan is not performed for the dead, they will not find peace or salvation after death due to their attachment to the material world. According to Sanatan Hindu belief, the souls after leaving the mortal body continue to crave the love and care of their loved one. They seek their living family members, especially their children (primarily Sons) to express their love and respect by offering Pind Daan. It is the duty of the descendants (especially sons) of every dead person to perform Shraadh or Pind Daan hence, in which they are offered water and food. People also make charity and feed the needy in the memory of their forefathers during Shraadh. If this duty is not fulfilled by the descendants of the dead, it may bring a curse on the family, which may go on for generations until the Pind Daan or Shraadh is performed. 

Mata Sita Performed Pind Daan of Raja Dasrath in Gaya

There is confusion among Hindus if daughters can perform Pind Daan if the dead person does not have sons to perform. There is a reference to Mata Sita performing Pind Daan for Raja Dasrath (her father-in-law) in Ramayan on his request as Bhagwan Ram and Lakshman could not reach the site on time. While returning from Lanka Bhagwan Ram decided to visit Gaya to perform Shraadh for his dead father Raja Dasrath. After reaching Gaya, both Bhagwan Ram and Lakshman were out to get Shraadh ritual items from a nearby place but got delayed. Meanwhile, Raja Dasrath took out his hand from Ram Sita Mountain (the name given to the mountain after Bhagwan Ram and Mata Sita visited the place) and requested Mata Sita to perform Pind Daan as it was getting late so that his soul could proceed its journey to Brahma Lok for Moksha. The place was Gaya and Mata Sita without delaying any further offered Pind Daan on the banks of Falgu River. Due to the unavailability of items, she made balls of Falgu River sand and offered them to the soul of Raja Dasrath. Therefore, even today, there is a tradition of offering sand balls as Pind Daan at the Falgu River site, instead of rice balls. 

However, you must take advice from a professional Shraadh Kriya Pandit and an astrologer for a more convincing answer before performing Pind Daan.

Pitra Paksha is dedicated to the departed souls of our forefathers with an intent to please them, ask for forgiveness, and get rid of the Pitra Dosha. During this period rituals like Shraddh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan are performed to please the departed soul from the cycle of birth, life, and death. These rituals are performed at the Falgu river and after that special prayer is offered at Vishnupad Temple, Gaya on special Vedis. Several Vedis have been set up for rituals.

Pind Daan Locations For Pitru Paksha

Apart from Gaya in Bihar, here are the top nine places in India where you can perform the Pind Daan or Shraadh ceremony that will help your ancestors attain moksha. People throng these locations for the Pind Daan and Shraadh ceremonies during the Pitru Paksha period. 

• Brahma Kapal, Uttarakhand
• Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj
• Yamuna River Bank, Mathura
• Haridwar
• Jagannath Puri 
• Ujjain
• Ayodhya
• Dwarka, Gujarat
• Ganga River Bank, Varanasi

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who should perform Pind Daan and Shraadh?

A: Traditionally, it is the male member, especially the son of the departed soul.

Q: Can daughters perform Pind Daan?

A: Traditionally, daughters are not heard of performing Pind Daan or Shraadh. However, in recent years, we can see many daughters have started performing it. We also have a story of Mata Sita from Ramayana who performed Pind Daan of Raja Dasrath (Read above) on his advice.

Q: Is it necessary to perform Pind Daan?

A: Being a Sanatan Hindu, it is part of our tradition to perform Pind Daan of our ancestors to help them attain Moksha and also get blessed by our forefathers and God for this good karma.