Pindadan begins in Gaya, million pilgrims expected

Pat, Sept 15: The fortnight-long Pitrapaksh period, considered by the Hindus as auspicious for offering ‘pindadan’ — religious service seeking salvation for the dead from the cycle of rebirth, began in Bihar’s Gaya town on Thursday. District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said nearly a million pilgrims were likely to visit Gaya to offer pindadan for which the administration has made elaborate arrangements. “The administration has decided to run e-rickshaws for the elderly pilgrims,” said Ravi. The pindadan sees thousands of Hindus from across India and even abroad gather at Gaya, about 100 km from state capital Pat. Pindadan is traditiolly offered on the banks of the Falgu river during the 15 days of the waning moon of the Hindu month Ashwin. This year, it extends from Septemnber 15-30. According to Hindu belief, the soul wanders after death until pindadan is performed.(IANS)