• Gaya has a strong rich history, let it be ancient, middle, or modern. Particularly, for Hindu, Gaya is the land of salvation.
• As per Buddhist belief, Gaya is called the land of enlightenment when the Lord Buddha preached his teaching under the famous Banyan tree located in Bodhgaya.
• Bodhgaya, not so far from Gaya (around 10 KM) is another important place for Hindus for pind daan offerings.
• As per Hindu’s religious text, Lord Rama visited Gaya Ji around 12 lakh years ago during Treta Yuga to offer pind daan for his father Dasaratha.
• Gaya organizes Pitru Paksha Mela (Ceremony) every year for 18 days during the month of monsoon seasons (September-October) for pind daan. Lakhs of people around the world visit Gaya Ji during the months of pitru paksha mela to offer pind daan.
• During Mahabharata, Gaya was known by the name of Gayapuri and got its name from the name of a demon called Gayasur who got the blessing of Lord Vishnu.
• In the heart of Gaya flows the famous Falgu river which has the significance of offering pind then at its bank.
• Gaya is very famous for the temple called Vishnupad which the prime location for people to offer pind daan.

How pind daan is done?

• Pind daan is generally offered by the eldest male family members in the family. But in some cases, females are also allowed.
• Pind daan is done after taking a holy bath at the river Falgu, Ganga, etc according to the place it is being performed.
• It is required to wear white holy clothes during shradh karma like traditional dhotis, kurta, etc.
• Pind daan is done offering rice, jaggery, sweets, etc under the guidance and mantras of brahmins.
• The one who is performing shradh karma offers food and clothes to pandits and receive blessings from them. It is believed that pitra or souls get satisfied when pandits are fed during pind daan.
• There are 43 vedis in Gaya which are covered during the pind daan process. The number of vedis to be covered is based on the types of pind daan your are performing.
• Shradh should always be done in the afternoon and is regarded as the most appropriate time.