- By Kashish Rai
- Mon, 08 Sep 2025 04:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pind Daan Places In India: In Hinduism, the Pind Daan ceremony is a revered practice to honour the ancestors and aid their souls on their path to salvation. According to the sacred Hindu legends, Lord Brahma began this practice, which frees the deceased from pain and brings peace to their families. If this ceremony is not performed, it is believed that the soul will suffer and family members may struggle to find peace. The ceremony of Pind Daan is specifically performed at sacred places. During Shradh Paksha, Mahalaya Paksha or Pitru Paksha, devotees often engage in the spiritual rites dedicated to offering peace to the souls of their ancestors.
In the Daily Jagran’s series the Divine Paths, let us know about top 10 spiritual places in India that are ideal to perform Shradh and Pind Daan for one’s depared family members and ancestors, especially during the Pitru Paksha.
Top 10 Spiritual Places To Perform Shradh And Pind Daan During Pitru Paksha
1. Gaya, Bihar
In Gaya, Bihar, the Falgu River's banks are sacred for Pind Daan and Shradh rituals. People bathe in the river which is considered to be the manifestation of Vishnu on the Earth, while Brahmins do the ritual on one of 48 platforms. Rice balls with wheat flour, oats and dried milk are given to ancestors while mantras are chanted. It is believed that this ritual frees the souls of the dead from suffering and gives them peace.
2. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Varanasi is a sacred spiritual city located by the river Ganges. Here, the ritual of performing pind daan and shradh is performed with elaborate rituals. Local Brahmin priests perform the ceremony at a Ganga Ghat. They chant prayers and present Pinds, which are made of rice, wheat flour, milk and honey. Seven Pinds are offered, one for the departed and six for their ancestors, seeking comfort and peace for both the living and the dead.
3. Sannihit Sarovar, Kurukshetra, Haryana
Sannihit Sarovar in Kurukshetra is believed to be the confluence of seven holy rivers and devotees come to this sacred place to perform pind daan and Shradh rituals. After a purifying dip, the devotees chant mantras and offer rice balls to honour their ancestors and departed loved ones. This poignant ritual brings solace to the soul and peace of mind to the descendants, connecting them with their heritage and loved ones.
4. Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
Mathura is revered as the sacred city where Lord Krishna was born. Pind Daan ceremonies are held at revered sites like Vishranti Tirth and Vayu Tirth on the banks of the Yamuna River. Devotees prepare seven Pinds, offering rice balls mixed with wheat flour, honey, and milk to the deceased and ancestors while chanting mantras.
5. Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
In Prayagraj, the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers meet is a well-known place to perform Pind Daan and shradh rites. It is believed that taking a bath in the holy rivers will purify sins and free the soul. The Pind Daan ritual performed at this sacred site is believed to bring liberation to those who have passed away.
Pind Daan is a sacred ritual performed to pacify the souls of ancestors. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
6. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
In Ayodhya, a revered city by the Sarayu River, people come to Ram Paidi ghat to do Pind Daan for those they've lost. It is believed that the river's holy waters wash away sins and taking a bath here is a sacred act. Brahmin priests present seven pinds, symbolic rice balls made with oats, milk, and honey to help the soul on its path to Mukti, freedom from life and death.
7. Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Hindu devotees often go to Haridwar to take a sacred bath, which is also known as the Gateway to God. It is believed that the river Ganga flowing at this sacred site washes away sins and helps them on their path to spiritual freedom. On the riverbanks, Hindus perform ceremonies for those who have passed away, honouring their memory and keeping their heritage alive.
8. Badrinath, Uttarakhand
In Badrinath, Uttarakhand many devotees visit the Alakananda River to take a sacred bath. The Brahma Kapal Ghat is a respected place to perform Pind daan and Shradh for those who have passed away. Additionally, bathing in the river is believed to wash away sins and grant liberation.
9. Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
In Ujjain, a city steeped in cultural heritage, the mystical Shipra River flows, a sacred site for Hindu rituals. By its banks, families gather to perform Pind Daan, a poignant ceremony honouring their departed loved ones and ancestors. At Ram Ghat and Siddhwat temple, they pay tribute to their ancestors. The holy waters of the Shipra River are believed to hold profound significance.
10. Jagannath Puri, Odisha
In Jagannath Puri, a sacred city where the Mahanadi and Bhargavi rivers converge, Hindu pilgrims bathe in the holy waters to cleanse their worldly sins. This revered site is also a hub for Pind Daan ceremonies, honouring the dearly departed.
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The Pind Daan and Shradh rites offer comfort to those who have passed away and peace to those still living. During Pitru Paksha, many people go to these revered sites to free their loved ones and cleanse themselves. Each place has deep meaning and serves as a touching setting to respect ancestors and find spiritual comfort.
