Gaya: Sunday marks the 10th day of the world-famous Pitru Paksha Mela and the ninth day of Shraddh rituals in Gayaji, with special significance attached to performing Pind Daan at Ram Gaya and Sita Kund.
According to a Gayapal Panda (priest), Sunday is Ashwin Krishna Navami, also known as Matru Navami. Scriptures prescribe Pind Daan at Ram Gaya and Sita Kund on this day, with the ritual believed to grant salvation to ancestors.
Sand Pind Daan At Ram Gaya And Sita Kund
The priest said the tradition at these two Pind Daan sites involves making the ritual offering from sand.
“There is a scriptural mandate to perform Pind Daan at Ram Gaya and Sita Kund on Ashwin Krishna Navami. The tradition here involves making the Pind out of sand. Performing the ritual with sand offerings alone is believed to lead the ancestors to salvation,” he said.
The significance of the two sites, according to the religious traditions cited by Katiyar, dates back to the era of the Ramayana.
Tradition Linked To Lord Rama And Sita
According to mythological beliefs and scriptures, Lord Rama performed Pind Daan and Shraddh rituals for his father, King Dasharatha, at Ram Gaya on Ashwin Krishna Navami. The day is therefore associated with Matru Navami and is considered particularly significant for performing Pind Daan for women who died while their husbands were alive, traditionally referred to as Suhagin.
Ancient scriptures also contain references to Shraddh and Pind Daan at Ram Gaya.
The priest said that, according to the tradition, Mother Sita had performed Pind Daan for King Dasharatha even before Lord Rama’s ritual at Ram Gaya, using sand from the Falgu River.
Sita Kund And The Sand Pind Tradition
Sita Kund holds particular significance in the religious traditions surrounding Pind Daan in Gaya.
According to the legend, Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were in exile when they received news of King Dasharatha’s death. They subsequently travelled to Gaya to perform his Shraddh.
While Rama and Lakshmana went to the forest to collect materials for the ritual, Sita remained at the site. According to the legend, a divine voice associated with Dasharatha urged her to perform the ritual immediately as the auspicious time was passing.
With Rama and Lakshmana away, Sita is believed to have fashioned a Pind from sand taken from the Falgu River and performed the ritual. The legend says Dasharatha extended his hand to accept the offering.
The tradition of performing Pind Daan using a sand offering is consequently associated with Sita Kund and has continued through generations.
Over 25 Lakh Pilgrims Visit Gaya
The Pitru Paksha Mela has been underway in Gaya since September 25, 2026. According to the district administration, more than 25 lakh pilgrims have arrived so far to perform Pind Daan, Shraddh and Tarpan rituals.
A report released late Friday evening stated that 4.39 lakh pilgrims arrived in Gaya on that day alone, taking the cumulative number of visitors to 25,10,200.
The large influx of pilgrims has continued throughout the ongoing Pitru Paksha period, with devotees visiting Gaya’s sacred sites to perform rituals for their ancestors.
