Bhubaneswar, 10 October (H.S.): Thousands of devotees thronged the holy city of Puri on Saturday to perform pinda daan and offer tila tarpana to their ancestors on the occasion of Mahalaya Amavasya, a sacred day dedicated to paying homage to departed forefathers.

According to Hindu beliefs, offering pinda daan and water rituals to ancestors helps fulfil their spiritual needs and enables them to attain salvation. Devotees also believe that performing these rituals on Mahalaya brings blessings to their ancestors and prosperity to their families.

The areas surrounding the Shree Jagannath Temple witnessed heightened activity as devotees arrived in large numbers from the early morning hours. Rituals were performed near the temple’s North Gate and at several sacred water bodies across the city, including Narendra, Indradyumna, Shweta Ganga and Markanda tanks, as well as the Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal) and other holy bathing sites.

Devotees offered shraddha and pinda daan in memory of their ancestors, seeking their blessings and praying for the well-being of their families. Many of those who could not perform the rituals on the prescribed days of Pitru Paksha chose Mahalaya Amavasya to pay their respects.

Mahalaya Amavasya marks the concluding day of Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to the worship and remembrance of ancestors. Observed during the waning phase of the lunar month, Pitru Paksha is regarded as an important period for performing ancestral rites, including shraddha, tarpana and charitable offerings.

Traditionally, the rituals may be performed on different days during the fortnight, depending on the relevant ancestral death anniversary or tithi. Mahalaya Amavasya holds special significance for those who are unable to perform the rites on the appropriate day during Pitru Paksha.

The occasion is also known as Pitru Parva, as offerings and religious observances are dedicated to departed ancestors. Devotees believe that performing ancestral rites on this day brings peace to the departed souls and invokes their blessings for the family.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda