Pind Daan at Varanasi FAQs
Answers to all of your Pind Daan at Varanasi related Questions
What donations or charity should be given after Pind Daan?
After the ritual, it is auspicious to offer:
- Dakshina to the Pandit.
- Vastra (cloth), utensils, grains, or fruits to Brahmins or the poor.
- Feeding cows, dogs, or birds is also meritorious.
This selfless giving is known as “Pitru Daan”, and it greatly pleases the souls of ancestors.
What is the cost of Pind Daan in Varanasi or Kashi?
The cost of Pind Daan in Varanasi can vary based on several factors including the type of rituals performed, the number of days, and the services included. Generally, the cost ranges from:
- Basic Package: Around INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 for a one-day ritual including the services of a pandit and the required puja materials.
- Comprehensive Package: Can go up to INR 13,000 or more for multi-day ceremonies with additional services like boat rides, accommodation & airport pickup and drop.
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What is the difference between Pind Daan, Tarpan, and Shraddh?
- Pind Daan: The offering of rice balls (Pindas) to the soul to help it attain peace and liberation.
- Tarpan: The act of offering water mixed with sesame, barley, and darbha grass to appease the ancestors.
- Shraddh: A complete ritual that includes both Pind Daan and Tarpan, along with feeding Brahmins and giving charity.
- All three are interconnected but distinct, with Pind Daan being the most crucial step for Moksha.
Can Pind Daan be done for multiple ancestors at once?
Yes, it is common to perform Pind Daan for:
- Three generations (father, grandfather, great-grandfather).
- Three maternal generations, and even for both parents’ lineages together.
The Pandit will chant specific mantras for each ancestor, invoking their names and Gotras during the Sankalp.
Can Pind Daan be done for ancestors whose death dates are unknown?
- Yes, Vedic scriptures allow and encourage Pind Daan for unknown ancestors or forgotten souls.
- The ritual is then performed under the title “Sarva Pitru”, invoking peace for all ancestral souls in the lineage.
- This is especially beneficial during Sarvapitri Amavasya, the last day of Pitru Paksha, which covers all departed souls.
What happens to the Pindas after the ritual is complete?
- After offering Pindas, they are usually immersed in the Ganga River at sacred ghats like Manikarnika.
- Alternatively, they may be placed on a Peepal tree or offered to cows, birds, or fire, depending on the custom followed.
- The act signifies symbolic nourishment of the soul, helping it ascend toward peace.
Where to do Pind Daan in Varanasi or Kashi?
Varanasi has several sacred ghats where Pind Daan rituals are performed, including:
- Manikarnika Ghat: One of the holiest places to perform Pind Daan due to its association with Lord Shiva.
- Dasaswamedh Ghat: Another significant ghat for these rituals.
- Pishach Mochan Kund: Known for liberating the soul from the cycle of rebirth.
- Harishchandra Ghat: Also a revered place for performing Pind Daan.
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Is it necessary to perform Pind Daan every year in Varanasi?
It is not mandatory to do it every year in Varanasi; however:
- One-time Pind Daan in Kashi has eternal spiritual benefit.
- Annual Shraddh or Tarpan can be performed at home or local tirtha.
Devotees often come again on milestone death anniversaries or during Pitru Paksha.
Can Pind Daan be performed for someone who died recently?
- Yes, Pind Daan can be performed immediately after the 10th or 13th-day post-death rites, known as Dasgatra or Terahvin.
- However, a more elaborate Shraddh and Tarpan is usually done annually or during Pitru Paksha.
- Doing Pind Daan in Kashi soon after death is considered especially powerful for soul transition
What are the ideal dates or occasions for performing Pind Daan in Varanasi?
- The most auspicious time is during Pitru Paksha, the 16-day period dedicated to ancestors.
- Other ideal days include Amavasya (New Moon), Gaya Shraddha, Eclipses, and Tithi Shraddha of the departed soul.
- Any day is spiritually significant in Kashi, but these periods are especially sacred.