The nation-wide ritual known as Pitru Paksha, in which Hindus honor their ancestors, particularly through food sacrifices, began. The Pitru Paksha started on September 29 and ends on October 14 this year. Because people only depart for Gaya, Bihar to pay respect to their ancestors after offering Pind Daan here, devotees from all across the nation travel to Varanasi’s Pishach Mochan Kund.
There is a legendary notion that this Pishach Mochan Kund, where people have for generations been sacrificing Pind Daan to their ancestors, existed even before the Ganga’s fall. In the Hindu calendar, the 16-day Pitru Paksha (“fortnight of the paternal ancestors”) is a time when Hindus honor their ancestors (Pitrs), particularly through food offerings.
The food offerings for the dead are traditionally prepared in silver or copper bowls and served on banana leaves or in cups made of dried leaves. Prior to performing the Shraadh, the performer should take a cleansing bath and is required to wear a dhoti. He has a darbha grass ring on. The ancestors are then called upon to live within the ring. Since the sacred thread the performer wears must be moved around several times during the ceremony, the Shraadh is typically done bare-chested.
