India is one rare country where customs, rituals, and traditions are taken very seriously and are done with faith and emotion. In the same way, pitra paksha is also highly regarded. Pitri Paksha is an important period when the holy ritual of Shradh is performed to pay tribute to the departed family members.

Asking for salvation for the departed souls means to free them from the vicious cycle of life and death. To attain that freedom, pind daan and tarpan are performed for the souls; however, performing this tradition at holy places is considered highly auspicious. Here are 7 important pilgrim places where performing Shradh puja is regarded as truly favorable, they are:

Gaya

Bodh Gaya is an apt destination to carry on the Shradh rituals. Gaya is known to have purifying quality and powers. Those who are seeking forgiveness or salvation of their sins must once perform the rituals here. This place has been mentioned in Hindu epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayan. Pind Daan and Tarpan offered here are highly regarded.

Varanasi

Situated on the banks of Holy River Ganga, Varanasi is a place that is been visited by thousands of people to offer prayers to ask for moksha. It is believed that the River Ganga has the powers to wash away sins, therefore, the ritual of Pind Daan is performed at the Pishachmochan Kund to pacify the souls of the forefathers. People visit Varanasi in the month of Magha as well as to perform Shradh on Chaturdashi Amavasya.

Badrinath

As Badrinath is believed to be the residing place of Lord Shiva, performing important rituals, rites and Puja are considered to be highly favorable. Pind Daan and Tarpan are done at the Brahma Kapal Ghat. It is said that this is the place where Lord Shiva was relieved from Lord Brahma’s curse of killing him. It is also said that by performing Shradh puja here, it is not necessary to perform in any other pilgrim places.

Allahabad

Allahabad is a city that is situated on the banks of the confluence of rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati which is called as the Triveni Sangam. It is also known for its culture and traditions and every year Pitra Paksha Mela is organized here that starts from the day of Anant Chaturdashi.

Kurukshetra

Kurukshetra, situated on the banks of the river Saraswati is considered highly pious to perform Shradh puja. As per the Hindu mythology, King Prithu offered water to the visitors who had attended his fathers’ funeral. That is why this place is also known as Prithudaka. Nowadays, Pind Daan and Tarpan are performed at the Sannihit Sarovar which is believed to be filled with sacred water.

Pushkar

Pushkar is a place in Rajasthan where Lord Rama had performed Pind Daan for his father and his ancestors. Hence, these days it is considered as an auspicious place to perform Shradh rituals.

Mathura

A city of temples, Mathura is one of the important pilgrim sites. Rituals like Pind Daan and Tarpan are performed at the Vayutirth which is believed to free the departed souls from this selfish world.

Puri

Jagannath Puri which is well-known for the Rath Yatra is also a sacred place to offer Tarpan and Pind Daan during the Shradh phase.