Pitru Paksha Mela

The 15-day-long Pitru Paksha Mela during the Hindu month of Shradh 2023 will be held in Gaya, Bihar, from 29th September to 14th October 2021. Pitru Paksha is one of the most critical months among Hindus. Several rites in Hinduism are performed even after death. Pitru Paksha is the month when the relatives of the deceased perform Shradh karma for the deceased. Since the festival is meant to pay reverence, it is called Shradh, derived from the word Shraddha.

Importance of Pitru Paksha or Shradh 2023

Pitru Paksha is also known as Sola Sraddha, Jitiya, Pitru Pakkha, and Malaya Paksha in various parts of India. The death rites are performed with the help of water in the form of Shradh or Tarpan. Pitru Paksha comes after the Ganesh Festival and in the Bhadrapad month of the Hindu calendar. According to Hindu mythology, the last three generations of a person reside in Pitru Loka. It is also believed that the souls of the ancestors don't achieve salvation and keep wandering until Pitru Puja is performed for them. The shradh ritual, also known as Pinda Daan, indicates salvation for the deceased soul.

Pitru Paksha 2023 in Gaya, Bihar

Located by the banks of the Falgu River in the state of Bihar, Gaya is one of the holiest cities in India. The Shradha celebration, or Pitru Paksha Mela in Gaya, is an annual event attended by thousands of people across India to perform Shradh rites for their ancestors. The event holds great significance for Hindus around the country, and it is considered that the reverence to ancestors becomes more sacred and meaningful if performed in this event. The Mela often happens in September. This year, the Pitru Paksha Mela date is from 29th September to 14th October 2021.

According to one of the mythological stories about the city of Gaya, there was an Asura called Gaya. As he started troubling the Devas, they decided to kill him. While the Devas ultimately became successful in killing him, they decided to fulfil his last wish, resting in the holiest place on earth. Hence, Pitru Paksha Mela is celebrated in Gaya every year so that the previous desire of the deceased can be fulfilled. Another legend associated with Pitru Paksha also tells that Buddha was the first to perform Pinda Daan in Gaya.

Highlights of Pitru Paksha Mela 2023, Gaya

1. Holy Dip in the River: Thousands of people gather to take the holy dip in Gaya. Most Pinda Daan rituals are performed, followed by a short bath in the river.
2. Rituals inside the Temples: People visit several temples around the river to ask for salvation and peace for their deceased ancestors.
3. Offerings: In addition to worshipping, Daan is one of the significant aspects of Pitru Paksha Puja. People make food and other offerings to their ancestors and give many things in to charity. The food generally includes rice, pulses, and vegetables. In addition, the priests in the temples and cows are fed.
4. The Pinda Daan is the central ritual of the entire event, where a pinda is offered to the ancestors. First, people perform this ritual by releasing water from their hands while standing in the river. Later, food items are offered to the crows, who are believed to be the messenger of Yama.

How to Reach Gaya?

Due to its historical and religious importance, Gaya is one of the most popular and accessible cities in Bihar. The best way to reach Gaya is by bus. You can easily find buses to Gaya from Delhi, Lucknow, and other places in UP and Bihar on redBus.