Millions Gather as Pindadan begins in Gaya

The fortnight-long Pitrapaksh period, considered by the Hindus as auspicious for offering ‘Pinda Daan’ - a religious service seeking salvation for the dead from the cycle of rebirth, began in Bihar’s Gaya town on Thursday.

District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said nearly a million pilgrims were likely to visit Gaya to offer Pinda Daan for which the administration has made elaborate arrangements.
“The administration has decided to run e-rickshaws for the elderly pilgrims,” said Ravi.

The soul keeps wandering till this ritual is performed by male descendants of the dead

The Pinda Daan sees thousands of Hindus from across India and even abroad gather at Gaya, about 100 km from state capital Patna. Pinda Daan is traditionally offered on the banks of the Falgu river during the 15 days of the waning moon of the Hindu month Ashwin.
This year, it extends from September 15-30.
According to Hindu belief, the soul wanders after death until Pinda Daan is performed. “The soul keeps wandering till this ritual is performed by male descendants of the dead,” said priest Murari Lal.

It is mandatory for the devotees offering Pinda Daan to tonsure their head, take a holy dip and head for the Baitarni pond. Some rituals are conducted in the Falgu river nearby.
The prayers are performed at the famous Vishnupad temple named after Hindu god Vishnu. Priests, known as Gaywal-pandas, conduct the ritual.

The festival was officially inaugurated on Sunday by Bihar assembly speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary at the temple.
Legend has it that Lord Rama and his wife Sita performed this religious rite for his father, King Dasharath.