Gaya: A group of foreign tourists took part in the sacred pind daan rituals at Gaya, Bihar, on Wednesday and Thursday, marking their participation in the ongoing Pitripaksh observances. The visitors, around two dozen in number, hailed from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Spain, and performed the rites at Sita Kund on Wednesday and Dev Ghat on Thursday.
Participation in Pitripaksh rituals
The tourists, who were in Varanasi when they learned about Pitripaksh, expressed their interest in participating in the fortnight-long festival dedicated to offering pind daan for the salvation of ancestors’ souls. They contacted Gaya-based priests through their guides in Varanasi, who finalised the arrangements for the rituals.
Speaking through interpreters, the visitors said they had researched online about the festival and were deeply impressed by its spiritual significance and sanctity. They followed the complete protocol under the guidance of Acharya Madhav and Acharya Abhinav Shankar, chanting mantras and observing all traditional practices.
Observing traditions and vows
According to the priests, the tourists observed the full tradition of pind daan and reported experiencing inner peace after fulfilling their obligations towards their ancestors. Notably, they also took a vow to remain vegetarian for life, reflecting the spiritual impact of the ritual.
While international devotees associated with ISKCON have previously participated in pind daan at Gaya, local priests noted that this was perhaps the first time white-skinned foreigners had performed the rites independently, without institutional backing.
Support and experience
Volunteers from the district unit of Scouts and Guides assisted the visitors during the rituals, ensuring a smooth experience and helping them adhere to all traditional practices. The tourists also partook of prasad near Sita Kund and expressed their intention to share their memorable experience with friends and family back home, encouraging others to visit Gaya during Pitripaksh.
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Conclusion
The participation of foreign tourists in pind daan underscores the growing global interest in India’s spiritual traditions and highlights Gaya’s importance as a centre of pilgrimage and cultural heritage. The experience also reflects how festivals like Pitripaksh can foster cross-cultural spiritual connections, allowing visitors from different parts of the world to engage meaningfully with Indian rituals.