📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prittam Anand
Religion
Pilgrims Flock to Gaya for Pitru Paksha: All Ritual Queries Answered Ahead of Fair
✍️ Amar Ujala · Bihar
🗓 24 Sep 2026, 12:16 PM
👁 9
During Pitru Paksha, devotees travel to Gaya to perform ancestral rites, and a day before the fair begins comprehensive guidance is being provided.
Pitru Paksha, also known as Shradha, is the annual period when Hindus honour their ancestors through prescribed rites. The fortnight is considered auspicious for performing pind‑dan, the offering of food to departed souls, to seek their peace and blessings.
Gaya in Bihar remains the most revered destination for these rites, attracting pilgrims from across India and even abroad. The city’s sacred sites, especially the Vishnupad Temple, are believed to amplify the efficacy of the rituals, prompting large gatherings each year.
Organisers of the upcoming Pitru Paksha mela have announced that a day before the fair opens, a dedicated information desk will address common questions about the procedures, timings and required offerings. This initiative aims to help first‑time visitors navigate the complex customs without confusion.
The fair traditionally hosts puja stalls, food arrangements and a cadre of priests who guide devotees through the pind‑dan ceremony. By consolidating these services, the event seeks to ensure that the ancestral rites are performed correctly and respectfully.
As the Pitru Paksha period approaches, the focus remains on facilitating a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims who come to Gaya to honour their forebears.
Gaya in Bihar remains the most revered destination for these rites, attracting pilgrims from across India and even abroad. The city’s sacred sites, especially the Vishnupad Temple, are believed to amplify the efficacy of the rituals, prompting large gatherings each year.
Organisers of the upcoming Pitru Paksha mela have announced that a day before the fair opens, a dedicated information desk will address common questions about the procedures, timings and required offerings. This initiative aims to help first‑time visitors navigate the complex customs without confusion.
The fair traditionally hosts puja stalls, food arrangements and a cadre of priests who guide devotees through the pind‑dan ceremony. By consolidating these services, the event seeks to ensure that the ancestral rites are performed correctly and respectfully.
As the Pitru Paksha period approaches, the focus remains on facilitating a smooth and spiritually fulfilling experience for all pilgrims who come to Gaya to honour their forebears.