Best Places to do Pind Daan in India | 14 Mystical Places of India

What is Pind Daan?

According to Hindu holy texts, a “Pind” is a round object. This is how the ritual earned its name, as food prepared in the shape of a round ball is offered to the soul by relatives during Shradh Karma.

A Pind is created by kneading rice or barley flour. During the Pind Daan ceremony, these flours are shaped into circular balls and offered to the departed spirits.

The Pind Daan Ritual

Pind Daan is a vital ritual for the following reasons:

• It helps souls who are still wandering on Earth to find peace.
• It provides a sense of freedom to departed souls who are attached to the material world and struggling to leave their loved ones.
• It is believed that Pind Daan frees souls from the torments of hell, guiding them toward Moksha (salvation).
• The relatives who perform Pind Daan receive blessings from the deceased, which brings positivity to their lives.
• The ritual symbolizes achievement, harmony, and prosperity.

Places to do Pind Daan in India

There are several locations in India that hold immense significance for Shradh Karma. Here are the most famous places to perform Pind Daan:

• Gaya, Bihar
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
• Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
• Haridwar, Uttarakhand
• Brahma Kapal, Badrinath
• Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
• Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
• ​Jagannath Puri, Odisha
• Dwarka, Gujrat
• Pushkar, Rajasthan

• Kurukshetra, Haryana
• Avantika, Shakti Peeth Tirth
• Siddhpur

Gaya

Located in Bihar, Gaya is one of the most revered cities for religious rituals. The Phalgu River flows through the city and is considered one of Hinduism’s holiest rivers.

The City of Gaya
According to the Vayu Purana, the Phalgu River is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Pilgrims visit this sacred site to perform Pind Daan for their deceased loved ones. Taking a dip in the Phalgu is believed to wash away worldly sins. Performing Pind Daan here helps the departed souls break free from the cycle of reincarnation and find peace.

There are approximately 48 platforms along the riverbanks where Brahmin pandits perform the rituals. It can also be done at the nearby Vishnu Temple. Priests offer pinds made of rice or wheat flour mixed with oats and dry milk to help the soul achieve Mukti.

For Indians living abroad, fulfilling this obligation is essential. If distance prevents you from visiting, services are available to help you complete the ritual.

Varanasi

According to scripture, bathing in holy rivers cleanses sins and leads to Moksha. Varanasi, also known as Kashi, sits on the banks of the Ganga and is one of the world’s oldest cities.

Ganga at Varanasi
Varanasi is known as the Land of Pilgrimage and is the holy abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is also the birthplace of Ayurveda. Performing Pind Daan on the banks of the Ganga here allows living family members to help their ancestors achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

Brahmin pandits perform the rite using pinds made of wheat flour, oat flour, dried milk, and honey. Usually, seven pinds are offered—one specifically for the deceased loved one and the rest for ancestors. This tradition is said to have been started by Lord Brahma.

Prayagraj

Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is a major pilgrimage site. The Triveni Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet, is one of India’s holiest spots. Thousands flock here year-round.

Sangam at Prayagraj
Devotees offer Pind here as part of Shraadh, which is vital for the salvation of a deceased family member’s soul. It is believed that ancestors wait for their family to perform this ritual here so they can attain Moksha.

Pind Daan performed during the Ashwin fortnight is considered especially crucial. The ritual involves offering pinds made of rice flour, oats, honey, milk, and sesame seeds. One ball is offered to the specific soul, while the others are distributed according to the family’s wishes.

Ayodhya

Ayodhya, situated on the banks of the Sarayu River in Uttar Pradesh, is the setting of the Ramayana and the birthplace of Lord Rama. The Ram Paidi ghat is a sacred site for performing rituals for the deceased.

Kund at Ayodhya
Devotees bathe in the Sarayu River to purge their sins. This river flows into the Ganga and is mentioned three times in the Rigveda.

During the ritual, Brahmin pandits present seven pinds (rice balls with oats, milk, honey, and sesame

 seeds). One is offered to the deceased relative to help their soul achieve Mukti, freeing them from the cycle of life and rebirth.

Haridwar

Haridwar means “Gateway to God” and is one of the seven holiest places in Hinduism. It is often the first stop on a holy pilgrimage.

Ghats of Ganga, Haridwar
The holy river Ganga begins its flow from here. Pilgrims bathe in the waters to cleanse sins and move closer to salvation. Pind Daan is commonly performed along these banks.

Our team provides Pind Daan services in Haridwar with Brahmin pandits following strict Vedic traditions. These services are ideal for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who cannot travel back to India but wish to pay tribute to their ancestors. We offer a realistic solution to meet your needs remotely.

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Brahma Kapal (Badrinath)

Badrinath in Uttarakhand is the holy residence of Lord Vishnu (Lord Badrinath). It is a vital pilgrimage site located on the banks of the Alakananda River.

Brahma Kapal Badrinath in WintersThe Brahma Kapal Ghat involves a platform and steps leading to the Alakananda River. Hindu theology suggests bathing here purifies sins. It is a famous spot for Pind Daan.

Paying reverence here assures deliverance from the cycle of rebirth. The ritual uses pinds made of rice flour, oats, mi

lk, and honey. Seven pinds are prepared, with one offered precisely to the soul of the deceased relative to aid in their quest for Mukti.

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Ujjain

Located in Madhya Pradesh, Ujjain is a city of religious spectacle and home to the Mahakaleshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Ujjain is home to the mystical Shipra River. Hindu texts consider this a holy river, and religious activities are held on its banks. Families travel here to perform Pind Daan and pay honor to their ancestors, particularly at the Ram Ghat and the Siddhwat temple.

Mathura

Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and a major pilgrimage site in Uttar Pradesh. Along with nearby Vrindavan, it is culturally rich and historically significant.

Mathura and Vrindavan are connected by the holy Yamuna River. Krishna’s life is deeply intertwined with this river, including the slaying of the Kesi demon at Kesi Ghat.

For rituals like Asthi Visarjan (immersion of ashes) and Pind Daan, flowing holy water is required for the soul to attain Moksha. The Vishranti Tirth, Bodhini Tirth, and Vayu Tirth are the most prominent spots in Mathura for these ceremonies. These rituals are crucial for bringing peace to departed souls.

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Jagannath Puri

Jagannath Puri in Odisha is located at the meeting point of the Mahanadi and Bhargavi rivers. It is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and home to the famous Jagannath Temple.

Pilgrims visit to bathe in the waters and cleanse their sins. It is a popular location for Pind Daan.

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Dwarka

Dwarka, Gujarat, lies on the banks of the Gomti River. It was the capital of Lord Krishna’s kingdom. The Gomti Ghat is a significant holy location.

Thousands visit Dwarka and the nearby sacred site of Pindar to perform rituals like Pind Daan. This ceremony is performed to help souls achieve Mukti.

The ritual uses pinds made of oats, rice, honey, milk, and sesame seeds. It is especially important during the Ashwin era. One of the seven pinds is dedicated specifically to the soul of the loved one.

Pushkar

Pushkar, Rajasthan, is famous for its sacred lake, which is believed to have originated from Lord Vishnu’s navel when Brahma dropped a lotus flower.

The Pushkar Sarovar has 52 ghats. Devotees come from all over the world to bathe in the holy waters to wash away sins. Most importantly, families visit to perform Pind Daan.

The ritual is performed for the benefit of departed loved ones and ancestors to help them achieve liberation. During the rite, Brahmin pandits use pinds made of rice flour, wheat flour, oats, honey, sesame seeds, and dried milk.

Kurukshetra

The Sannihit Sarovar in Kurukshetra, Haryana, is believed to be the meeting point of seven sacred Sarasvati rivers. It is said that Lord Vishnu resides in these waters.

Devotees come here to perform Pind Daan. Kurukshetra is also historically significant as the place where the Bhagavad Gita was written.

The Sannihit Sarovar has ghats made of marble and red stone. It is a renowned location for paying respects to deceased relatives. Brahmin pandits offer seven pinds—one for the deceased relative and the rest for ancestor spirits—to help them find tranquility on their way to the Divine Creator.

Avantika, Shakti Peeth Tirth

Avantika is considered holy due to the Kshipra (Shipra) River. According to the Vedas, Goddess Parvati planted immortal trees on the banks of this river at a place called Shaktibeah Tirth.

Pind Daan is performed on the banks of the Shipra due to its sacred significance. A pind (ball of rice flour, oats, milk, and honey) is offered to the soul of the deceased family member by a Hindu priest. This ritual is intended to assist the soul in escaping the cycle of life and rebirth.

Siddhpur

Siddhpur in Gujarat is a traditional site for Pind Daan located on the banks of the holy Saraswati River.

The town is home to Bindu Lake (Bindu Sarovar), one of India’s five sacred lakes. Legend says the lake is formed from Lord Vishnu’s tears. Pilgrims bathe here to cleanse sins. Pind Daan is often performed on the shores of the lake or in local ashrams, such as the famous Kapilamuni Ashram.