Why To Perform Pindadaan in Gaya?

Doing Pind Daan in Gaya is recommended because it brings salvation to the ancestors and seven generations of the family, including the parents. Additionally, the donor reaches the supreme state himself. The location of Gaya in Bihar is foremost among the 55 locations in the nation that are important for Shradh. Gaya pind daan also released generational curses. 

Reasons to perform Pind Daan in Gaya.

Doing Pind Daan gaya is recommended because it brings salvation to the ancestors and seven generations of the family, including the parents. Additionally, the donor reaches the supreme state himself. There are 55 locations across the nation that are significant for Shradh, with Gaya in Bihar being the most significant.

Gayaji is the center of the earth’s spirituality. The Indian state of Bihar includes the city of Gaya. One of India’s oldest and holiest pilgrimage sites is there. Throughout its lengthy history, it has served as the location of numerous Hindu temples, earning it the moniker “one of the spiritual centers of the earth.”.

Why pind daan is done in Gaya?

Gaya is regarded as the city of Vishnu. This area is known as the “land of salvation.”. The Vayu Purana and the Vishnu Purana both touch on the subject. According to the Vishnu Purana, performing Pind Daan in Gaya will save and take ancestors to heaven. The place is also known as “Pitru Tirtha” because it is thought that Vishnu himself is present here in the form of Pitru Devta. “.

The ancestors are said to be saved and seven generations of the family, including the parents, are shielded by performing Pind Daan and Tarpan on the banks of the Falgu River.

Whether it be in the distant past, the recent past, or the present, Gaya has a lengthy and rich history. Hindus view Gaya in particular as the place of their salvation.

The only teerth in the world with 54 Vedis available throughout the city to perform pind daan and shradh karm is Gaya.

Buddhism holds that Gaya was referred to as the “land of enlightenment” when the Lord Buddha preached in Bodhgaya beneath the majestic Banyan tree. Bodhgaya, which is only about 10 KM from Gaya, is another important site for Hindus to make pind daan offerings. Approximately 12 lakh years ago, in the Treta Yuga, Lord Rama traveled to Gaya Ji to offer pind daan for his father Dasaratha, according to Hindu religious texts.

Pitrupaksha Mela

Gaya hosts the Pitru Paksha Mela (Ceremony) every year for 18 days in the monsoon season (September–October).

Thousands of followers travel to Gaya Ji from all over the world during the months of pitru paksha mela to offer pind daan.

Gaya, also referred to as Gayapuri in the Mahabharata, was named after a demon by the name of Gayasur who was blessed by Lord Vishnu.

Various Kriyas Performed

AsthiVisarjan or the Flowing of ashes of the funeral in Holy Ganges: The ash collected from the Antyeshti ceremony is stored in a copper vessel. According to the appropriate time and date, the ash is made to flow in the river Ganga.

Sraadh or the Feasting ceremony for the remembrance of the deceased person: The people who are known to the dead are invited for food offerings and to pray for peace, for the departed soul.

Brahmin Bhoj or offerings of food to the priests: The Brahmins who are considered to be the caretakers of God are invited for Food and Dakshina offerings

How Is Pindadaan Done?

Pind daan is generally offered by the eldest male family members in the family. But in some cases, females are also allowed. Pind daan is done after taking a holy bath at the river Falgu, Ganga, etc according to the place it is being performed.

It is required to wear white holy clothes during shradh karma like traditional dhotis, kurta, etc. When actually Lord Rama Chandra came to Gaya to offer Pind Daan or Gaya Shraddha to his Father Dashratha? It is believed that Rama belonged to Treta Yuga, this yuga covered 12,96,000 mortal years. After Treta, came Dwapar yuga covering 8,64,000 mortal years. This is the kali yuga. The period is to cover another 4,32,000 mortal years.In such a situation Rama came to Gaya for offering oblation to his deceased Father more than 12 lakh years ago. And the Pind Daan in Gaya practice for the salvation of a soul was in vogue since long and still continues to be an integral part of Hindu Mythology.

Pind daan is done offering rice, jaggery, sweets, etc under the guidance and mantras of brahmins. The one who is performing shradh karma offers food and clothes to pandits and receives blessings from them. It is believed that pitra or souls get satisfied when pandits are fed during pind daan.

How much to pay for Pind Daan?

While it is highly subjective, if you want to do an elaborate puja for your mental satisfaction, you may pay anything from INR 11000 to INR 21000. Or else, you may simply pay a budget amount of INR 1200 to INR 5100. Be cautious to quote the amount to the priests while he is reciting the mantra to bind you by a vow (sankalpam) for the Pind Daan lest you are forced to pay more than your budget.

Keep enough INR 100/10 currency notes to pay the pandas as well as donate some money to the beggars and cleaning staff that may approach you to ask for alms/charity. 

Conclusion

Due to the devotional offerings made by followers along its banks, Gaya’s renowned Falgu River is significant. The majority of visitors to Gaya’s Vishnupad temple come there to perform pind daan.

Religion and spirituality are the two main components of Gaya. The numerous sacred rituals that are performed here are fascinating and inspiring. The holy ceremony of Pind Daan is definitely worth going to. Nature has blessed the city in numerous ways, just like the gods. The Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas were both penned there by Maharshi Vedavyasa. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims journey to this sacred location to re-establish their spiritual connections and touch their roots.