The reason behind why to do Pind Daan in gaya is because in gaya, the ancestors attain salvation and seven generations of the family, including the parents, are saved. Along with this, the donor himself also attains the supreme state. 55 places are considered important for Shradh in the country, of which the place of Gaya in Bihar is paramount.
Gayaji – Spiritual centre of the Earth
Gaya, Bihar, is a city located in the Indian state of Bihar. It is one of the oldest and most sacred pilgrimage sites in India. It is known as “one of the spiritual centres of the earth,” and has been home to many Hindu temples throughout its long history.
Gaya is considered the city of Vishnu. This is called the “land of salvation.” It is also discussed in the Vishnu Purana and Vayu Purana. According to Vishnu Purana, by doing Pind Daan in Gaya, ancestors get salvation and go to heaven. It is believed that Vishnu himself is present here in the form of Pitru Devta, hence it is also called “Pitru Tirtha.”
It is a popular belief that by performing Pind Daan and Tarpan on the banks of the Falgu river, the ancestors attain salvation and seven generations of the family, including the parents, are protected.
Why to do Pind Daan in Gaya?
According to Hinduism, Gaya is significant for pind daan for a variety of reasons, some of which are listed below:
- Gaya has a long and rich history, whether it be ancient, middle-aged, or contemporary. Gaya is particularly the region of salvation for Hindus.
- Gaya is the only teerth in the world where 54 Vedis are present all around the city for performing pind daan and shradh karm.
- According to Buddhist doctrine, Gaya was known as the “land of enlightenment” when the Lord Buddha delivered his sermons beneath the illustrious Banyan tree in Bodhgaya.
- Bodhgaya, which is just around 10 KM from Gaya, is another significant location for Hindus to make pind daan offerings.
- According to Hindu religious texts, Lord Rama travelled to Gaya Ji in the Treta Yuga approximately 12 lakh years ago to offer pind daan for his father Dasaratha.
- Every year, during the monsoon season (September–October), Gaya holds the Pitru Paksha Mela (Ceremony) for 18 days.
- During the months of pitru paksha mela, thousands of devotees come to Gaya Ji from all over the world to offer pind daan.
- Gaya, also known as Gayapuri during the Mahabharata, took its name from a demon by the name of Gayasur who received Lord Vishnu’s benediction.
- The renowned Falgu River, which flows through the centre of Gaya, is significant because devotees offers pinds along its banks.
- Gaya is well-known for its Vishnupad temple, which is where most people go to offer pind daan.
- The essence of Gaya is dominated by religion and spirituality. The many sacred ceremonies that take place here are both inspirational and fascinating. Pind Daan’s holy ceremony is well worth attending. Nature, like the Gods, has bestowed many blessings on the city.
- It is the site where Maharshi Vedavyasa wrote both the Bhagavad Gita and Puranas. Thousands of pilgrims visit this holy site every year to reconnect with their roots and transcend into the spiritual realm.