Gayaji: The Bihar Tourism Department has set up a special 2,500-bed tent city at Gandhi Maidan in Gayaji to accommodate devotees attending the Pitru Paksha Mela, which runs from September 6 to 21.
Every year, according to the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha begins from Anant Chaturdashi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. The festival holds deep religious, mythological, and historical significance, drawing large numbers of devotees from across India and abroad to perform Pind Daan for the salvation and peace of their ancestors.
Pind Daan, a ritual believed to free the soul from worldly bondage, is performed at holy sites such as Vishnupad Temple, Falgu River, Akshay Vat, Ramshila, Pretshila, Brahmayoni Hill, and the Dak Bungalow Complex. While Pind Daan can be conducted at any time of the year, it is considered especially auspicious during the 15-day Pitru Paksha festival or on selected days of Krishna Paksha. Devotees with limited resources can perform the ritual by offering water in the river or making a ball of clay.
To assist pilgrims, the Tourism Department has deployed trained guides and established tourist assistance centers at Gayaji Railway Station and Punpun in Patna. Additionally, a permanent tourist information center at Punpun will feature a laser show depicting the significance of Pind Daan and Tarpan.
The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation has also introduced a special Pitru Paksha package, which has already attracted bookings from 15 pilgrims, with reservations continuing to grow.
