Lastjourney Blog

Significance Of Pind Daan

Aman

15 April, 2025

• Why should one go a certain places for Pind Daan, and why is Gaya in Bihar preferred?
• What are the Stepwise Rituals performed in Gaya, Bihar, to satiate the departed soul?
• The well-known locations or Vedis in Gaya, Bihar
• What are the scientific reasons behind performing Pind Daan

After the demise of a person in Hindu Religion, a number of rituals are performed to satisfy the departed soul and soothe the grieving family members. Pind Daan is one of those essential rituals.

Here, the term "Pind" means the round-shaped balls of Cooked Rice. These Pind are offered along with some other sacred materials. According to the sacred scriptures of the Hindu Religion, Pind Daan helps the soul obtain salvation, and it brings one closer to Brahma.

Usually, the ritual is performed at some certain locations like Gaya in Bihar. The Pind Daan ritual includes "Respecting one's ancestors, asking for their blessings, and making sure they are atisfied". Pind Daan is frequently done during certain periods, usually in Pitru Paksha period according to Hindu Calendar, which is a fortnight devoted to ancestors' worship.

Why should one go a certain places for Pind Daan, and why is Gaya in Bihar preferred?

According to the scriptures of Hinduism, it is believed that Lord Rama performed the Pind Daan ritual for his father, King Dasharatha, in Gaya, Bihar. The holiness of Gaya is increased due to its strong connection to the venerable epic Ramayana. Apart from it, the Vishnu Pad Temple, a major pilgrimage site, is also located in Gaya, Bihar.  Hence, the area's religious significance is further increased by the belief that it contains Lord Vishnu's footprint.  In Gaya, Bihar, Pind Daan is considered a means of offering respect to and releasing the spirits of deceased ancestors.  The ceremonies are conducted here by the close family members. Pind Daan has a significant effect on guaranteeing the ancestors' souls' salvation and tranquility.

Hindu scriptures narrates that during the Mahabharata Period, Lord Krishna gave the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, instructions to execute Pind Daan in Gaya, Bihar. Additionally, Pind Daan rites on the banks of the sacred River Phalgu, which flows through Gaya, are considered auspicious. It is said that the river's purifying properties increases the ceremony's spiritual importance.

Also Read, Exploring Cremation Services in Different Religions

Apart from Gaya, Bihar, there are several other places where the Pind Daan last rite, can be performed by the family members.

• Bodhgaya, Bihar
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
• Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
• Haridwar, Uttarakhand
• Prayraj, Uttarakhand
• Ujjain, MP
• Jagannath Puri, Odisha
• Dwarka, Gujarat
• Pushkar, Rajasthan

What are the Stepwise Rituals performed in Gaya, Bihar, to satiate the departed soul?

Having an enormous significance in Hindu Religion, Pind Daan should be performed under the guidance of a well-learned Hindu Priest/Purohit/Pandit. He will not only guide the lead mourner during the Pind Daan ritual, but also narrates the importance of this ritual to the close family members.

1. The ritual "Pind daan" is usually offered by the eldest male family member in the family. But in some cases, females are also allowed to perform it.
2. Pind daan is performed after taking a holy bath or dip at the river Falgu/Phalgu, that is located in Gaya, Bihar. Then the ritual is being performed on the bank of sacred river.
3. Ideally, the lead mourner should wear white holy clothes during shradh karma or Pind Daan like traditional dhotis, kurta etc. The people can choose other light colour clothes as well if they want.
4. Along with offering Rice Balls which are known Pind, the mourner should offer jaggery, sweets etc under the guidance and mantras of Hindu brahmins/Priest.
5. The lead male mourner who is offering shradh karma/Pind Daan offers food and clothes to pandits and receive blessings from him. It is believed that pitra or the departed soul of ancestors gets satisfied when pandits are fed and offered during pind daan.
6. There are total 43 vedis in Gaya which are covered during the Pind Daan ritualistic procedure. According to the sacred scriptures of Hinduism, the number of vedis are need to be covered is based on the types of pind daan your are performing.
7. Pind Daan ritual should always be performed in the afternoon as it is considered the most appropriate time for this ritual.

The well-known locations or Vedis in Gaya, Bihar

• Vishnupad Temple
•  Gaya Sarovar
• Garhyapatyaagni pad
• Falgu River         
• Waitarani Sarowar
• Brahma pad       
• Brahmakund     
• Suryakund
• Surya pad           
• Pretseela            
• Rukmini Talab
• Indra pad            
• Ramsheela         
• Brahma Sarowar
• Chandra pad     
• Gadhadhar Vedi              
• Pitamaheswar
• Rudra pad          
• Sharswati Vedi 
• Godawari

Also Read, Importance and benefits of Navagraha Shanti Pujan

What are the scientific reasons behind performing Pind Daan

Apart from the religious significance, Pind Daan has several other reasons. Here is a list and brief description of them.

1. The transfer of Energy

From a scientific perspective, Pind Daan can be understood as a symbolic energy exchange. Following the laws of physics, energy cannot be destroyed; instead, it must be transformed or transferred from one condition to another. Giving pinds can be seen as a way to transmit good energy from the living to the souls of the dead, as well as a way to show gratitude and kindness.

2. A connection with the ancestors

The idea of continuing the cycle of giving is also symbolized by the Pind Daan deed. Giving is a part of the event, as pinds are offered to the departed's souls.  According to research, doing good deeds and giving is associated with a higher level of happiness and well-being.  People who perform the act of Pind Daan give freely, which benefits both themselves and their deceased ancestors. This includes favorable psychological and emotional effects.

3. Establishing a link between spirituality and cosmic order

Apart from its scientific justifications, Pind Daan has huge spiritual significance.  The balance between the cosmos and the interdependence of all living things are emphasized in Hinduism. By understanding the connection between the living and the dead, Pind Daan ensures the notion that the spirits of the dead continue to have an impact on the lives of their living descendants. To sustain the health and blessings that their ancestors have given to the family members and people who take part in the Pind Daan ceremony want to maintain a harmonious relationship between the spiritual and material world.

Share this blog