Shradh Puja Pind Daan & Tarpan

Shradh Puja, Pind Daan & Tarpan

Shradh Puja is a sacred ancestral ceremony performed with Shraddha—faith, gratitude and reverence to honour departed ancestors, 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 one has received the body, family and lineage. Shradh, Tarpan and Pind Daan are prescribed ways of remembering and honouring them and fulfilling one's duties towards the ancestral lineage.

Shradh is traditionally performed every year on the death Tithi of the departed. If the exact Tithi is unknown, it may be performed on Amavasya. It is especially auspicious during Pitru Paksha, either on the corresponding Tithi or on Sarva Pitru Amavasya for all departed ancestors.

The Puja may be performed for a specific departed soul or for one's ancestral lineage, including known, unknown and forgotten ancestors (Gyat-Agyat Pitrus). It may also include departed close relatives and souls lost through miscarriage, abortion, accident, suicide or other untimely circumstances.

Significance of Tarpan and Pind Daan

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

A total of 16 Pindas are offered:

• 12 Pindas representing the 12 months of the year
• 1 Pinda for unidentified, forgotten or missed ancestors
• 3 Pindas dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh

Together, Shradh, Tarpan and Pind Daan express gratitude towards the Pitrus and pray for peace for the departed and wellbeing of their descendants.

Benefits of Shradh Puja

Shradh Puja is traditionally performed to:

• Pray for peace and Sadgati of departed souls
• Honour and fulfil one's Pitru Runa
• Seek 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 harmonious family relationships
• 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.

Shradh Puja Procedure: Kalash Sthapana • Panchang Sthapana—Gauri Ganesh, Punyavachan, Shodash Matrika, Navgraha and Sarvatobhadra • 64 Yogini Pujan • Kshetrapal Pujan • Swasti Vachan • Sankalpa • Ganesh Pujan and Abhishek • 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 • Panchgras—feeding of cows, dogs, crows and the needy.

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.