Puja for Peace of Departed Souls

Puja for Peace of Departed Souls is a sacred ancestral ceremony performed with Shraddha.. faith, gratitude and reverence to honour those who have departed from this world, pray for their peace and Sadgati, and seek their blessings.

According to Sanatan Dharma, every person carries Pitru Runa, a sacred debt of gratitude towards one’s ancestors, through whom we have received our body, family and lineage. Shradh, Tarpan and Pind Daan are prescribed Vedic rituals through which we remember and honour them and fulfil our duties towards our ancestral lineage.

This Puja may be performed for a specific departed soul or collectively for the entire ancestral lineage, including known, unknown and forgotten ancestors (Gyat-Agyat Pitrus). It may also include departed close relatives and souls who passed away under untimely circumstances such as miscarriage, abortion, accident, suicide or other premature causes.

Shradh is traditionally performed every year on the death Tithi of the departed soul. If the exact Tithi is not known, it may be performed on Amavasya. Pitru Paksha is considered an especially significant period for these rituals, either on the corresponding Tithi of the ancestor or on Sarva Pitru Amavasya for all departed ancestors.

Significance of Shradh, Tarpan and Pind Daan

Shradh is performed with faith and gratitude towards departed ancestors. Through prayers and sacred offerings, the family remembers them and prays for their peace, Sadgati and onward journey.

Tarpan is the sacred offering of water with black sesame seeds and other prescribed ingredients, accompanied by Mantras, to the Pitrus, Devas and Rishis for their satisfaction and blessings.

Pind Daan is the offering of sacred Pindas prepared from prescribed ingredients such as rice, black sesame seeds, barley or wheat flour, ghee and holy water. The Pinda symbolically represents the Sukshma Sharira, or subtle body, of the departed soul and is offered with prayers for peace, release from lingering attachments and an auspicious onward journey.

Together, Shradh, Tarpan and Pind Daan express gratitude towards those who came before us and offer prayers for peace to the departed and wellbeing of their descendants.

16 Pindas Are Offered

A total of 16 Pindas are offered during the Puja:

• 12 Pindas represent the 12 months of the year.
• 1 Pinda is offered for unidentified, forgotten or missed ancestors so that no departed soul remains unacknowledged.
• 3 Pindas are dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

Benefits of Puja for Peace of Departed Souls

This Puja is traditionally performed to:

• Pray for peace and Sadgati of departed souls.
• Honour the ancestors and fulfil one’s Pitru Runa.
• Seek the satisfaction and blessings of the Pitrus.
• Seek relief from Pitru Dosha and ancestral afflictions.
• Pray for healthy progeny and continuation of the lineage.
• Promote peace and harmony within the family.
• Seek removal of obstacles associated with ancestral karmas.
• Seek blessings for health, financial stability and progress.

Pitru Mantra

ॐ देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च। 
नमः स्वधायै स्वाहायै नित्यमेव नमो नमः॥

Om Devatabhya Pitrubhyashcha Mahayogibhya Eva Cha, 
Namah Swadhayai Swahayai Nityameva Namo Namah.

Meaning

Salutations to the divine forces, the Pitrus and the great Yogis. May they receive our reverence and bless us. (Rudraksha Ratna)

Puja Service Includes:

Kalash Sthapana; Panchang Sthapana comprising Gauri Ganesh, Punyavachan, Shodash Matrika, Navgraha and Sarvatobhadra; 64 Yogini Pujan; Kshetrapal Pujan; Swasti Vachan; Sankalpa; Panchayatan Pujan; Vishnu Abhishek and Pujan; Purusha Suktam Recitation; Vishnu Sahasranama Path; 51 Pitru Tarpan; 51 Dev Tarpan; 51 Rishi Tarpan; 16 Pind Daan; Pitru Mantra Japa 5,100 times; Pind Visarjan; Brahmin Daan; and Panchgras.. feeding cows, dogs, crows and the needy.

Details Required for the Puja

Please share the following details for the Sankalpa so that the Puja is offered in your name and for your wellbeing. No personal Sankalpa details are required for ancestral Pujas.

1. Your Full Name
2. Current Location (City and Country)
3. Gotra (if known)

If your Gotra is not known, kindly provide your birth details instead:

• Date of Birth
• Time of Birth
• Place of Birth (City, State, Country)

For ancestral Pujas, you may choose to perform the Puja for one specific departed ancestor by providing their name, Gotra (if known), and your relationship to them. Alternatively, you may provide the names, Gotra and relationships of up to three generations of departed ancestors:

1. Father's Side: Up to three generations of departed ancestors, including their spouses
2. Mother's Side: Up to three generations of departed ancestors, including their spouses
3. Unborn Children and Close Relatives: You may also include unborn children and other departed close family members

Even if the names of the departed ancestors are not known, the Puja can still be performed. The Brahmins will include all known, unknown and forgotten ancestors of your lineage (Gyat-Agyat Pitrus) in the prayers, ensuring that all ancestors are remembered and honoured.

Multiple videos and photos of the Puja rituals will be shared with you via email and WhatsApp. You may also connect with us through a WhatsApp/Skype video call to witness the Puja rituals live.

No Prasad is sent for this Puja, as it is performed specifically for the departed souls.