Patna: The annual Pitru Paksha Mela has commenced at Punpun Ghat, roughly 13 kilometres from Patna, with authorities expecting around 500,000 devotees over the 16-day festival, which will continue until September 23.
The ghat holds deep religious significance. According to legend, in the Treta Yuga, Lord Shri Ram performed the first Pind Daan for his father, King Dasharath, here. Since then, Punpun Ghat has been considered the “first gate of salvation”, with devotees often proceeding to Gaya to complete the Shraddha rituals.
Priests at the ghat outlined four main types of Pind Daan:
- Tirth Shraddha – offerings in the name of deceased ancestors.
- Baravan Shraddha – performed at multiple locations for the peace of souls.
- Tripakshi Shraddha – a 17-day ritual mostly observed by the Marwari community.
- Pret Shraddha – conducted for recently deceased family members.
Ritual guidelines dictate that couples performing Pind Daan wear new clothing, avoiding black, and that proper ceremonies are generally observed a year after the death of an elder family member. These rites are believed to grant peace to the departed and help devotees attain Baikunth Dham.
However, preparations for the influx of pilgrims have fallen short. The century-old Surajmal Jhunjhunwala Dharamshala has only 11 rooms, lacking electricity, water and bedding. Mobile toilets provided behind the Dharamshala are reportedly unclean, leaving devotees without basic facilities.
Security measures have been stepped up in light of the expected crowd. Punpun police station in-charge Baby Kumari confirmed deployment of district police, male and female officers, and a team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Barricades have been placed along the ghat as river water levels rise.
Punpun Ghat is accessible from Patna and Gaya by road and rail, located 13 km from Patna Junction, 90 km from Gaya, and 15 km from Patna Airport.
