That is the mystery and miracle of Phalgu River here in Gaya, Mother Sita herself cursed the river to flow underground, visible only as sand on the surface, because it lied about her offering Pind Daan. But the water flows beneath! It is pure and sacred. For Shraddh in Gaya, we perform Tarpan by digging slightly into the sand – pure water emerges! Pinds offered on the sandy banks are considered offered to the holy river itself. The underground flow carries the essence of the offerings. Its sacredness for Shraddh in Gaya is affirmed by scriptures and millennia of faith, regardless of its surface appearance