President Droupadi Murmu performed the sacred ‘pind daan and shraaddh’ rituals for her ancestors at the Vishnupad Temple and Phalgu Akshayavat in the world-famous Pitru Paksha Mela in Gayaji on Saturday.
This marks the first time in Indian history that a sitting President has performed ‘pind daan’, a ritual believed to ensure salvation for the souls of departed forefathers.
The President, whose ancestral village is Upar Beda in Odisha’s Mayurganj region, offered the rituals under the guidance of Rajesh Lal Katariar, the keeper of ancestral records for families of Upar Beda.
During the fortnight-long Pitru Paksha, thousands of devotees from across India and the world visit Gayaji to perform ‘pind daan’ for the peace of their ancestors’ souls.
President Murmu’s participation not only enhanced the spiritual significance of this year’s mela but also drew national attention, adding a moment of pride and reverence for Bihar’s religious heritage.
What is Pind Daan?
Pind Daan is a sacred Hindu ritual where rice and barley flour balls, called 'pinds', are offered to the souls of departed ancestors to provide them with relief, peace, and liberation (moksha) from the material world. This offering helps the soul detach from earthly attachments, alleviating their pain and allowing them to move on to the ultimate world of peace. It is particularly auspicious to perform this ritual in Gaya, Bihar, as it is believed that Lord Rama himself performed it there for his father's soul.
Key Aspects of Pind Daan
The offering:The central component is the 'pind,' a circular ball made from rice or barley flour, often mixed with sesame seeds and ghee.
Purpose:The ritual aims to provide the departed soul with ultimate relief from their worldly attachments and pain, allowing them to attain liberation (moksha) and find eternal peace
🕉️ Pind Daan – A Sacred Hindu Ritual for Ancestors
Pind Daan is a deeply revered Hindu ritual performed to honor and offer salvation (moksha) to the souls of departed ancestors. The word "Pind" refers to rice balls mixed with barley flour and sesame seeds, symbolizing the body of the deceased, while "Daan" means offering.
✨ Spiritual Significance:
It is believed that by performing Pind Daan, the soul of the departed (atma) is freed from earthly attachments and can peacefully transition to the next realm.
The ritual helps relieve the soul’s suffering, especially if it is believed to be wandering or stuck between worlds due to unfulfilled duties or strong attachments.
It is seen as a way for the living to express gratitude, respect, and love to their ancestors.
📍Why is Gaya, Bihar Special for Pind Daan?
Gaya is one of the holiest places in India to perform Pind Daan, often considered the most auspicious site for this ritual.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama performed the ritual here for his father, King Dasharatha, which gives the site divine importance.
The Vishnupad Temple in Gaya is a central location for these rites, believed to bear the footprint of Lord Vishnu himself.
Gaya is associated with Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period each year when lakhs of devotees gather to perform Pind Daan.
📜 Ritual Process (Simplified):
Tarpan – Offering water and black sesame seeds while reciting mantras.
Shraddha – Feeding Brahmins and donating in the name of ancestors.
Pind Daan – Offering rice balls to represent the bodies of the departed, symbolizing their spiritual nourishment.
Prayer for Moksha – Prayers and offerings are made to help the soul reach peace and liberation.
🌺 Beliefs Around Pind Daan:
Performing it ensures generational blessings.
It brings peace to the deceased and spiritual merit to the living.
Not performing it may result in Pitru Dosha (ancestral curse), according to traditional belief.
🧭 Other Notable Places for Pind Daan:
While Gaya is the most revered site, other places also include:
Varanasi
Haridwar
Allahabad (Prayagraj)
Badrinath
Rameswaram
🧾 Summary:
Pind Daan is more than just a ritual — it is an act of deep spiritual duty and love, a bridge between the living and the departed. Performed with devotion, especially in sacred places like Gaya, it is believed to free the soul from the cycle of birth and death and lead them toward eternal peace.
