Gaya (Bihar): The Pitra Paksha is a period in the Hindu year when people pay their respects to their deceased elders by performing Tarpanam and Shradh rituals.
The 17-day long phase in the month of Ashwin is considered ideal for penance and asking for forgiveness from the dead relatives, for the wrong done to them knowingly or unknowingly.
Pitra Paksha has been given a very important place in Indian scripture and the karma cycle. The 17-day Pitra paksha will start from September 1 and end on September 17.
During this period, people will donate for their ancestors (fathers). If the matter is of Pitra Paksha and the name of Gayaji of Bihar is not named, then it seems a bit incomplete. Let us tell you, the supernatural story of the World famous Gaya Ji.
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Gaya is the only city in the world which has a Ji word attached to it. The city of salvation Gaya is a special place for Sanatan Dharam people.
Devotees reach not only from the corners of the country but also from abroad, for the salvation of their forefathers. In Gaya Ji, ancestors get salvation only by making pinds made of sand and water of the river Falgu. The religious Veda Puranas tell the mythological stories of Gaya Ji.
The name of four Purusharthas in the Vedas for man, these four are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. In such a situation, Gaya ji has been considered the place of attainment of Moksha. Only when three efforts are meaningful can salvation be possible.
WHAT IS PITRI PAKSHA?
‘Pitri Paksha’ means the fortnight or 15 days dedicated to our ancestors. It comes just after the festival of Anant Chaturdeshi every year. The entire period from the full moon day of Bhadra month to Amāvásyā, which means the lunar phase of the new moon in Sanskrit, of Ashwin month.
It is said that during this period, ancestors reach their kin in different forms. People believe that one can get freedom from the cycle of rebirth on the earth by performing the ritual of ‘pind daan’ and they get salvation after death. During this festival, people pay their respect to their ancestors and even pray for the peace of their souls, which is central to the entire exercise of the shraadh.
ANCESTORS GET A PLACE IN BAIKUNTH
Astrologers suggest that one should perform ‘pind daan’ during the days of Shraadh Paksha when their parents or grandparents died as it is considered to be auspicious. When the son or the grandson of ancestors performs ‘shraadh’ during this period, they get a place in Baikunth, the abode of gods.
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DATE OF PITRI PAKSH
According to Vedic traditions and Hindu beliefs, it is a greatly pious job to perform ‘shraadh’ for ancestors during this period. According to traditions, one can justify his being a son only by serving his parents and performing ‘shraadh’ during ‘Pitri Paksh’ as per the rituals.
WHY ‘PIND DAAN’ ONLY IN GAYA?
Gaya is considered to be a town of Lord Vishnu, which is also called Vishnupad. It is also called the land of salvation. According to Vishnu Puraan, ancestors receive salvation if their ‘shraadh’ is performed with total reverence during this period by their children. Belief has it that Lord Vishnu himself remains present in Gaya in the form Pitri Devta, due to which Gaya is also known as Pitri Tirth.
LORD RAM ALSO PERFORMED PIND DAAN IN GAYA
It is said that even Lord Ram performed ‘pind daan’ for his father King Dashrath. He was accompanied by his brother Lakshman and wife Sita. It is one of the reasons why people from across the world come to Gaya for the salvation of their ancestors.
GHATS WHICH USED TO BE CROWDED
Prominent places for ‘Pind Daan’ are Pretshila, Ramshila, Akshaywat, Devghat, Sitakund, Brahmni Ghat, and Pitamahashwar Ghat. For decades, these places have witnessed fairs during ‘Pitri Paksh’ but this time due to corona, all fairs were cancelled.
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