NRI families perform Pind Daan in Gaya via video call amid travel limits

Several non‑resident Indian families have turned to digital platforms to fulfil the sacred Pind Daan ritual for their departed ancestors. Unable to fly to Bihar due to visa constraints and high airfare, relatives logged into a video conference hosted by priests at the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya, reciting mantras and offering rice, sesame seeds and water as per tradition.
The live feed allowed participants in the United States, United Kingdom and the Gulf to witness the ceremony in real time, while temple priests performed the rites on their behalf. Families reported a sense of relief, noting that the virtual arrangement preserved the spiritual significance of the ritual despite physical distance.
Religious scholars say that while digital mediation cannot replace the physical presence prescribed in scriptures, it offers a pragmatic solution during extraordinary circumstances such as pandemic‑related travel bans or personal constraints. The practice is expected to continue as more NRIs seek ways to honour their ancestors without incurring prohibitive costs.