Gaya: The Pitru Paksha Mela in Gayaji enters its eighth day on Friday, which also marks the seventh day of the Gaya Shraddh rituals. On Ashwin Krishna Saptami, devotees are prescribed to perform Pind Daan at the 16 Vishnupad altars located near the Vishnupad Temple.
According to a Gayapal Panda, the Pind is affixed to the 16 pillars after the ritual. Devotees then view the divine footprint of Lord Vishnu located nearby.
According to the religious belief associated with the ritual, performing Pind Daan at these 16 altars and viewing Lord Vishnu’s footprint helps attain salvation for ancestors and leads them to Swarga Loka.
Pind Daan Prescribed From Shashthi To Ashtami
The ritual at the pavilion known as 16 Vedi is prescribed from Ashwin Krishna Shashthi to Ashwin Krishna Ashtami.
The 16 pillars represent the respective deities, and devotees affix the Pind to them after completing the prescribed rituals. The practice is considered to hold particular spiritual significance for the salvation of ancestors.
The Gayapal Panda said devotees are also required to view Lord Vishnu’s divine footprint after completing the offerings.
16 Vishnupad Altars Together
The 16 Vishnupad altars include:
- Kartik Pad
- Dakshinagni Pad
- Garhapatyani Pad
- Aavahanomagnipad
- Sandhyagni Pad
- Avasandhyagnipath
- Surya Pad
- Chandra Pad
- Ganesh Pad
- Udichipad
- Kanvapad
- Matangapad
- Kauchapad
- Indra Pad
- Agastya Pad
- Kashyapa Pad
These 16 altars are located together within the Vishnupad Temple complex, next to the main temple, making the site a distinctive location for Pind Daan rituals.
Gaya Once Had More Than 300 Altars
According to the information provided by the district administration and the religious account associated with the site, Gayaji once had more than 300 such altars. Around four dozen remain today.
Pind Daan, Shraddha and Tarpan rituals are performed at the surviving altars.
Gayaji is regarded as the city of Lord Vishnu and a land of salvation. According to religious belief, Lord Vishnu’s footprint remains visible at the Vishnupad Temple atop the body of Gayasur.
16 Lakh Pilgrims Have Arrived
A press release issued by the district administration on Thursday said that more than 16 lakh pilgrims have arrived in Gayaji so far for the Pitru Paksha Mela.
The fair began on September 25. On the first day, pilgrims perform Pind Daan at Punpun, while the Gaya Shraddh rituals begin from the second day.
Thousands of pilgrims from across the country continue to visit Gayaji to perform Pind Daan and other rituals for their ancestors, seeking their salvation.
