October 8, 16:30Aaj Tak

Residents from Thailand, England, France, and Italy performed pindadan via Zoom during Pitr Paksha in Kashi

During Pitr Paksha in the holy city of Kashi, not only residents of the country but also pilgrims from various parts of the world join to pray for the souls of their ancestors and wish them liberation. This time, followers of Hinduism residing in countries such as Mauritius, Italy, England, France, South Africa, and Thailand were able to perform Tarpan and Pindadan for their ancestors by connecting to the ceremony from Kashi via Zoom video conference.

During this event, ministers from Mauritius and ambassadors from France and Switzerland conducted their Tarpan and Sharad rituals online.

The ritual was conducted by a spiritual leader

Arunandana Giri, International President of the All India Council of Hindu Saints, member of Niranjani Akhara Mauritius and Mahamandaleshwara of Maa Kamakhyas Temple, conducted the Sharad and Tarpan rituals according to tradition on the banks of Kashi. He stated that most residents from UP, Bihar, and South India reside in Mauritius. He himself visited this country to grow sugarcane and settled there.

Pilgrims abroad received clarification regarding classical traditions and the meaning of Pitr Karma. The process of unification began six months ago, and online Sharad rituals are currently being held. Swami Arunandana specified that approximately 250 people from Mauritius, about 50 from Milan (Italy), and around 20 from England participated in the Tripindi Sharad, totaling over 850 participants, including online attendees.

Oath taken via Zoom, Pindadan performed in Kashi

During the online rituals, pilgrims connected to the meeting via Zoom from their respective locations. When the oath-taking procedure began in Kashi, participants recalled their names, gotras, and the names of their ancestors. Afterward, representatives present in Kashi completed the Pindadan and Tarpan process according to classical methods.

According to Swami Arunandana Giri, it is impossible for the priest to remember the names of all ancestors of a large number of pilgrims. Therefore, the pilgrims themselves take the oath by naming their ancestors. Then, Pindadan is performed according to established rules, followed by Tarpan in the waters of Goddess Ganga.

Significance of Haridwar, Prayagraj, Kashi, and Gaya

Swami Arunandana Giri noted that many residents abroad lack complete information about the classical traditions of Pitr Karma. They are explained that major holy places like Haridwar, Prayagraj, Kashi, and Gaya hold special significance in Pitr Karma. According to this tradition, Tarpan and Pindadan are performed in these places on behalf of the pilgrims.

Tradition of facing south during Tarpan

Sacred scriptures describe specific methods for Pitr-Tarpan. According to belief, Sharad and Tarpan are performed on the same date as the relative's death. If the date of death is unknown, there is a tradition of performing Sharad and Tarpan on Sarvapitri Amavasya. For Tarpan after bathing, clean clothes are worn and one faces south. Water is taken in a copper or brass vessel, mixed with Ganga water, raw milk, black cumin, akshata, barley, and white flowers. After donning sacred robes, water from the ancestor's holy place is poured out. At this moment, the tradition of offering sacrificial water while remembering the gotra and ancestors is observed.

The fact that pilgrims from foreign countries connect to the ceremony from Kashi during Pitr Paksha demonstrates the preservation of ties with Vedic traditions despite geographical distance. Pilgrims from Mauritius, Italy, England, France, South Africa, and Thailand took the oath at their respective locations and performed Tarpan and Pindadan for their ancestors in Kashi.

After Pindadan and Tarpan, Swami Arunandana Giri addressed the pilgrims, informing them that the Pindadan and Tarpan for their ancestors were complete. He also added that the Tarpan ritual would be conducted in Gaya the next day.

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www.aajtak.inOctober 2, 08:38

Foreign Pilgrims from Ukraine, Russia, Italy, and Germany Perform Pindandana in Gaya for Ancestors

On the banks of the Falgu River in Gaya, in the Devaghat area, an unusual sight is observed: besides local residents performing pindandana for their ancestors, foreign pilgrims from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and Germany are arriving. These devotees conduct pindandana and tarpana rituals in accordance with Vedic traditions.

During the Pitr Paksha fair, the flow of pilgrims from various parts of the country and the world continues. On the banks of the Falgu River, near the Vishnu Pad temple, many foreign pilgrims have performed pindandana and tarpana, striving to ensure peace of mind and liberation for their deceased ancestors.

The presence of foreign pilgrims has attracted attention. People from different cultures and countries received assistance from local priests to complete the pindandana and tarpana rites. Alisa Jandra from Ukraine shared that she was impressed by Hinduism and came to Gaya to pray for the liberation of her ancestors.

According to Alisa, performing this ritual in Gaya was a special experience for her, as Gaya is considered an important religious place for pindandana and tarpana. During Pitr Paksha, a large number of people from different regions of the country gather here, and this year among them are also foreign citizens. People from Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and Germany performed pindandana on the banks of the Falgu River in Devaghat.

Priest Loknat Gaud, who conducted the ceremonies for the foreign pilgrims, reported that people arrived from different countries. He noted that some of them are interested in understanding Hindu traditions. These pilgrims expressed a desire to perform pindandana based on the belief in the salvation and peace of mind of their ancestors, after which they were administered the pindandana and tarpana procedure according to Vedic customs.

Due to the presence of foreign pilgrims, the district administration took measures to ensure safety in Devaghat. Since a huge number of pilgrims gather in Gaya during the Pitr Paksha fair, the authorities organized a system to maintain order at the ghats and in major religious sites.

Some pilgrims remembered their ancestors, having come from Russia, while others came from Ukraine, and pilgrims from Italy and Germany also performed the same religious rites on the banks of the Falgu River. Photographs of Devaghat emphasize that people from different countries have become part of one religious tradition. Foreign pilgrims performed pindandana and tarpana under the guidance of local priests. Now, international pilgrims also participate in the religious ceremonies held in Gaya during Pitr Paksha, making pindandana for the peace and liberation of ancestors an important part of their journey.

www.aajtak.inSeptember 28, 07:49

Due to the inability to travel to Gaya, an ancestral remembrance ritual was held in Jansi for homeless and low-income families

In connection with the celebration of Pitrupaksha in Jansi, the District Social Welfare Commission and the Rani Jansi Foundation organized a collective ancestral remembrance ritual for 878 families, as well as for deceased homeless and destitute individuals.

The collective remembrance ritual was organized under the guidance of Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tiwari on the banks of the Paudj River near Sepiri Bazar. It was conducted for the souls of homeless, unknown, and destitute deceased, as well as for the ancestors of 878 families. The ritual took place under the direction of priests to ensure peace for the souls who could not reach Gaya due to religious reasons, physical limitations, or financial difficulties.

On the morning of September 28, an eight-member team traveled to the Chambal Express to transport sacred memorial items to Gaya.

Vedic mantras were chanted over the banks of the Paudj

Ceremonies of Tarpan and remembrance were performed according to Vedic traditions on the banks of the Paudj River under the guidance of various priests. Attendees concluded the ritual by recalling the names and clans of their relatives. A special prayer was also offered for the souls of those homeless people who had no one left in this world.

A social initiative for those left alone

Dr. Jitendra Kumar Tiwari emphasized that society's duty should not be limited only to one's own relatives; compassion must also be shown to the deceased homeless. He stated that for many years, he has consistently carried out his mission by organizing remembrances in Gaya for such homeless souls.

Support for the ancestors of 878 families

This time, 878 families provided information about their deceased relatives. The ancestors of those who could not go to Gaya due to lack of time or circumstances were also worshipped on the banks of Paudj. Now, an eight-member representative team will carry these memorial items to Gaya for the ritual.

Gratitude from local residents

Local resident Pratima Ojha highly appreciated this initiative, while Anita Singh mentioned that because her family had no men, she sought help from Jitendra Tiwari to perform the remembrance of her ancestors in Gaya. This initiative became an example of human compassion and piety.