Patiala, 29 September (Pradeep Shahi)
Pind Daan, a sacred Hindu ritual, is performed at 55 specific sites in India. It is believed that this ritual, when performed correctly, liberates the souls of one’s ancestors.
What is a Pind?
According to scholars, the spherical shape of an object is called a Pind. Symbolically, the body is also referred to as a Pind. During Pind Daan, a spherical shape made of barley or rice flour is called a Pind and is offered to the deceased for their liberation. After performing Achaman and wearing the sacred thread on the right shoulder, a Pind made by mixing rice, cow’s milk, ghee, sugar, and honey is offered to the ancestors with reverence. This is called Pind Daan. Tarpan is performed with full devotion using water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, Kusa grass, and white flowers. By completing this ritual, the ancestors are satisfied.
The Significance of Pitru Tarpan in Religious Texts:
Religious texts consider the soul to be immortal. To prevent a departed soul from being trapped in the realm of ghosts, Pitru Tarpan is considered highly significant. Shraddha means expressing reverence for one’s deities, ancestors, and lineage. It is believed that if Shraddha is performed according to the prescribed rituals, ancestors attain liberation. For centuries, the tradition of performing Pind Daan at 55 specific sites in India has been followed to ensure the liberation of ancestors. Do you know where Pitru Paksha and Matru Paksha Tarpan are performed in India?
see this link also…..Bindu Sarovar: The Sacred Lake of Maternal Salvation
Where is Tarpan Performed in India?
For centuries, the tradition of performing Shraddha has been prevalent at 55 places in India, including Haridwar, Gangasagar, Jagannath Puri, Kurukshetra, Chitrakoot, Pushkar, and Badrinath. According to scriptures, performing Pind Daan at these three places is considered especially significant:
- Badrinath: At Brahma Kapal Siddha Kshetra near Badrinath, it is believed to free one from ancestral curses.
- Haridwar: Near Narayan Shila in Haridwar, to honor ancestors.
- Gaya, Bihar: For Pitru Paksha Tarpan. During Pitru Paksha, performing Pind Daan near the Vishnupad Temple and the Akshayvat tree on the banks of the Falgu River in Gaya is believed to liberate ancestors. The Garuda Purana states that every step taken from home to Gaya is like building a step towards the ancestors’ ascent to heaven.
- Unique: Siddhapur, Gujarat: The sacred Bindu Sarovar in the historic Siddhapur is the only place where Matru Paksha Tarpan is performed.
Why is Shraddha Performed?
According to Hindu beliefs, Pind Daan is considered the easiest path to attain salvation. According to legend, a demon named Gayaasur performed severe penance and obtained a boon from Lord Brahma that his body would become as pure as the gods. Anyone who saw him would be freed from sin. Due to this boon, the population of heaven began to increase rapidly. People committed sins without fear, knowing they could be absolved by seeing Gayaasur. To resolve this issue, the gods requested a sacred place from Gayaasur for a yagna. Gayaasur offered his own body for the yagna. When Gayaasur lay down, his body spread over five kos (an ancient unit of distance). This five-kos area is now known as Gaya. According to another story, Gaya was considered a place for performing Pind Daan for ancestors because Gayaasur was instrumental in saving people. It is believed that during Shraddha, people in any realm come to Earth in some form.
Performing Pind Daan in Gaya Liberates One from Ancestral Debt
Gaya, located on the banks of the Falgu River in Bihar, is highly significant for performing Pind Daan. It is believed that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed Pind Daan for King Dasharatha’s soul at this very place. The Mahabharata states that a person who bathes in the Falgu Tirtha and worships Lord Gadadhar (Lord Vishnu) during Shraddha is freed from ancestral debt.
Gaya is Also Known as Vishnu Nagar
Gaya is also known as Vishnu Nagar and is considered the land of salvation. The Vishnu Purana and Vayu Purana mention this place. According to the Vishnu Purana, performing Pind Daan in Gaya liberates ancestors, and they reside in heaven. Lord Vishnu is present here as the deity of ancestors, hence it is also called Pitru Tirtha.
Only 48 of the 360 Vedis in Gaya Remain
Earlier, there were 360 vedis with different names in Gaya, the land of salvation and Pitru Tirtha, where Pind Daan was performed. However, only 48 of these vedis remain today.
Matru Paksha Pind Daan Performed Here
The historic Siddhapur Siddha Sthal, which came into existence as a result of the 10,000-year penance of Kardam Rishi, the father of Kapil Muni, has the sacred Bindu Sarovar. This is the only place in the country where sons come to worship and perform rituals in the month of Kartik for the liberation of their mothers. It is believed that the great sage Parashuram also performed Shraddha for his mother on the banks of Bindu Sarovar in Siddhapur. Stone ghats have been built on the banks of Bindu Sarovar. The ashram of Rishi Parashuram is also nearby. The nearby Moksh Peepal tree is where sons pray for the liberation of their mothers.
