Theertha Vidhi at Gaya Kshethra - Significance of Gaya Sraaddha
It is said that Vayu Purana prescribes elaborately the forms of ancestral rites to be performed at Gaya Kshetra. Entire territory of Gaya is said to be very sacred and holy for performing ancestral rites due to the boon received by the demon Gayasura lying down on the banks of river Phalgu on whose body the trinity of Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara had performed sacrifices. It is believed that it was Lord Brahma who first performed the Pinda Daan ceremony at Gaya and the tradition has continued since then.
The entire area stretching from the foothills of Vishnu Mountain to Uttar Manas where the river Phalgu flows is considered extremely holy. Offering Pinda daana at this place helps the ancestors to attain salvation. There are many other holy places capable of providing undiminished virtues to the ancestors but the one at Gaya on the banks of river Phalgu is capable of liberating twenty generations of a man.
Entire region of Gaya is considered sacrosanct and performing rituals and offering Pinda daan to ancestors at any place within the territory of Gaya helps the departed soul of the ancestors attain to Brahmaloka. Offering Pinda Daan at Akshayavat would not only liberate all his ancestors but also the coming generations from the bondage of Earth.
It is said that one should desire for more sons so that even if one of them goes to Gaya and offer Pinda Daan his ancestors would attain full and final satisfaction and attain salvation.
Religious scripts suggest that the sacred rites are required to be performed for seven days at different holy centers in Gaya starting at Prethashila and concluding at Akshaya Vat. But due to obvious reasons majority of the pilgrims are visiting this place to complete the rituals within a day, thereby performing only at three or four places mostly at the banks of river Phalgu, at the Vishnu Pada Temple, and at Akshayavat.
The entire area stretching from the foothills of Vishnu Mountain to Uttar Manas where the river Phalgu flows is considered extremely holy. Offering Pinda daana at this place helps the ancestors to attain salvation. There are many other holy places capable of providing undiminished virtues to the ancestors but the one at Gaya on the banks of river Phalgu is capable of liberating twenty generations of a man.
Entire region of Gaya is considered sacrosanct and performing rituals and offering Pinda daan to ancestors at any place within the territory of Gaya helps the departed soul of the ancestors attain to Brahmaloka. Offering Pinda Daan at Akshayavat would not only liberate all his ancestors but also the coming generations from the bondage of Earth.
It is said that one should desire for more sons so that even if one of them goes to Gaya and offer Pinda Daan his ancestors would attain full and final satisfaction and attain salvation.
Religious scripts suggest that the sacred rites are required to be performed for seven days at different holy centers in Gaya starting at Prethashila and concluding at Akshaya Vat. But due to obvious reasons majority of the pilgrims are visiting this place to complete the rituals within a day, thereby performing only at three or four places mostly at the banks of river Phalgu, at the Vishnu Pada Temple, and at Akshayavat.
Though the sacred texts mentions the presence of hundreds of sites at Gaya for performing the rites, at present there are only 45 vedis where sacred rites are performed out of which only 12 sacred sites are commonly visited by the sacrificers. It is also said that most of the ancient sites are now in ruins and some of them have already lost their identity. It is said that as per a survey less than 10% of the people visiting Gaya perform ancestral rites at all the 12 places whereas the majority visit only three places.
After performing sacred rites at the banks of river Phalgu the Pindas (rice balls) are offered to the cow there, at Vishnu Pada temple the Pindas are dropped on the Lotus foot of Lord Maha Vishnu, and at Akshayavat they are dropped at the roots of the Banyan tree.
After cermonies are over charity is given to Brahmins at Gaya in the form of Hiranya Danam (in cash). Of course charity can also be given in kind also if one is prepared in advance like Rice, Ghee, Jaggery, Honey, Grandha (Book), Vasthra, Paada Raksha (Chappals), Umbrella, Hand Stick, Fan, Sayya (Bedding), Phala (Fruits), Bell (Ghanta), Paathra (brass/silver vessel), Asana (Mat), Nava Dhanya which are called shodasa Danas. The best is Anna Danam, feeding Brahmins. It is said and believed that feeding one brahmin at Gaya brings the same virtue what one would get by feeding one crore Brahmins elsewhere.
After performing ceremony under the Banyan tree, one is required to shed for rest of the life at least three food items one sweet, one fruit and a one vegetable (besides eating in the leaf of Banyan Tree). The Logic and philosophy is to only get detached from materialistic things and to begin with the food items.
One of the maxims of theertha vidhi prohibits from fasting and getting ones head tonsured at Gaya. Similar prohibition is also mentioned for other places like Badrinath, Kurukshetra, Jagannathpuri (Puri). There is no time restriction on the performance of shraddha rituals at Gaya and they can be performed at any time.
Pinda Daana is the most important vidhi to be followed at Gaya Kshetra. The moment one reaches Gaya one should immediately offer Pinda Daana and then only visit the temple of Lord Gadhadhara (Vishnu). Gaya is a place where Vedic rites are performed not only for forefathers but also for any one (a friend, an acquaintance) irrespective of the caste, religion or community.
Facilities at Gaya for performing rites
Some of the religious mutts, theertha purohits hailing from Gaya as well as from other parts of the country (especially south India) provide guidance and offer facilities to the pilgrims for performing ancestral rites.
One such venue where facilities are available (stay, food, guide, and Purohit) is at Karnataka Bhavan, Ram Sager, Nai Sadak Road, Near Panch Mahalla, Gaya – 823001. Contact Person: Sri Shodshi M.N. Bacchu Acharya s/o Late M. Narayana Acharya (Purohit), Krishna Acharya or Raghavendra Acharya Tele No: 0631-2435432 – Mobile No: 99318-40631, 99340-23514 (from Gaya Rly station the auto charges will be approx Rs.75 to 100). Charge for the rituals - Rs.750/- per family.
Another venue : Manager, Shri Vidyadheesha Bhavana, Uttaradhi Math, Vishnupadamandir, Gaya 823001 - Phone No: 0631-2426311
One such venue where facilities are available (stay, food, guide, and Purohit) is at Karnataka Bhavan, Ram Sager, Nai Sadak Road, Near Panch Mahalla, Gaya – 823001. Contact Person: Sri Shodshi M.N. Bacchu Acharya s/o Late M. Narayana Acharya (Purohit), Krishna Acharya or Raghavendra Acharya Tele No: 0631-2435432 – Mobile No: 99318-40631, 99340-23514 (from Gaya Rly station the auto charges will be approx Rs.75 to 100). Charge for the rituals - Rs.750/- per family.
Another venue : Manager, Shri Vidyadheesha Bhavana, Uttaradhi Math, Vishnupadamandir, Gaya 823001 - Phone No: 0631-2426311
How to reach Gaya?
Gaya town is well connected to the rest of India and the world by rail and road and airways.
By Rail: Gaya is the second most important railway junction in the state of Bihar connected to all the four metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkatta). It is also directly connected to other important cities like, Patna, Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Nagpur, Puri (Orissa), Ahmadabad etc. It is on the Delhi - Howrah main line. While coming from Delhi, Gaya will be after Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi. While coming from Kolkatta it will be after Patna.
By Road: Gaya is well connected by Road to all important major cities.
By Air: Gaya Airport is the only international airport in Bihar and Jharkhand taken together. It is an international airport connected to Colombo, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore and Bhutan. Gaya airport is approx 20 km from Gaya and about 5km from Bodh Gaya.
Related posts please click on the links below..
By Rail: Gaya is the second most important railway junction in the state of Bihar connected to all the four metro cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkatta). It is also directly connected to other important cities like, Patna, Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Nagpur, Puri (Orissa), Ahmadabad etc. It is on the Delhi - Howrah main line. While coming from Delhi, Gaya will be after Kanpur, Allahabad and Varanasi. While coming from Kolkatta it will be after Patna.
By Road: Gaya is well connected by Road to all important major cities.
By Air: Gaya Airport is the only international airport in Bihar and Jharkhand taken together. It is an international airport connected to Colombo, Bangkok, Thailand, Singapore and Bhutan. Gaya airport is approx 20 km from Gaya and about 5km from Bodh Gaya.
Related posts please click on the links below..
Swamin,
ReplyDeleteCan the Gaya Shraddha be performed for one's parents at any time, or should they be done only at the annual thithi of the pitru.
Dasan
K.Seshadri
Dear Sri Seshadri
ReplyDeleteIt need not coincide with the annual thithi of Pithru. If it is incidentally happening it is ok. Otherwise it can be performed at any time.
Thank you very much for visiting my blog
best regards
bhargavasarma
Sri,
ReplyDeleteBhargavasharma,
Sir,
I want to contact in Telephone or Mobile for making GAYA SHRADHA on Sept. 12, 2010.
We are from karnataka, please give me guidance.
My mobile no. 94485 72461.
Dear Manjunatha
ReplyDeleteYou may go through all the three posts under the label Gaya Kshethra. If you still have any doubt you may send me a mail to bhagavanknl@gmail.com
best regards
bhargavasarma
how much amount will be charged at gaya for performing shraddha?
ReplyDeleteApproximately between Rs.750 - 1000
ReplyDeletebhargavasarma
Dear Bhargavasharma,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for wonderful information. Gaya Pinda Dana can be done only after both the parents have passed away or it can be done after Father's death though mother is still alive?
S. Sriram
Dear Sriram,
ReplyDeleteGaya Shraaddha can be performed for a deceased Father even though Mother is alive.
Thank you very much for your appreciation,
Best regards
bhargavasarma
Namaskaram. We are Telugu Brahmins. we want to go for pilgrimage of Kasi Gaya and Prayaga. which one should be visit 1st 2nd and 3rd as per Sastras. Srirama Hyderabad
ReplyDeleteDear Sri Rama
ReplyDeleteYou may choose in the order of Prayaga, Kashi and Gaya that will be convenient also.
Best regards
bhargavasarma
Namaskaram. Thanks for your quick reply. Suppose we leave Hyderabad and arrive first at Allahabad stay one or two days there, secondly go to Varanasi stay there for 9 (Nine) nights and finally go to Gaya stay one day there. which mens on return we have to leave Gaya arrive at Varanasi again and take a train to Hyderabad from there. Would it be alright. kindly reply.
ReplyDeleteSrirama Hyderabad.
Sir, One more thing Iwanted to ask. Earlier in 1976 I visited Gaya, under the Vatavriksham I took a vow and left one fruit and one vegetable. Have I to leave the same things again in my next trip or some new ones. I We want to do Pithru Karma in all three three places. Kinldy suggest some good Andhra Purohits at Gaya. Thanks Namaskarams. Srirama Hyderabad
ReplyDeleteSir One more request is that kindly suggest a suitable place for our (telugu brahmins)stay for 9 (nine) nights at Varanasi. Is there any sysstem of prior intimation/reservation.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Srirama Hyderabad
You can also directly go to Gaya and then to Kashi and Prayaga. At Gaya (Akshaya Vata Vruksha) you may have to leave a different item. I have no information about Andhra Purohits at Gaya. You may contact Karnataka Bhavan who will be able to guide you better.
ReplyDeletebhargavasarma
Thanks a lot for your kind and immediate reply. Namaskaram. Srirama Hyderbad
ReplyDeleteMy mother expired and father alive. I am a Saraswat Brahmin. I want to do this gaya shradha for all our anciestor who died. Can I do it for myself? inspite of having son? please provide me with details
ReplyDeleteWhen your father is alive you should not perform shraaddha to your ancestors. As an exception you can only perform to a deceased Mother. If you happen to visit Gaya you can perform Shraaddha to your deceased Mother but not to all your ancestors.
ReplyDeletebhargavasarma
we want to do gaya pinda dana in pithru paksha.but the ashthis(bones) of my parents-in-law are still in our home.my question is if we do the gaya pinda dana then is it not necessary to do pinda dana in their death dates
ReplyDeleteIt is not compulsory that Gaya Shraaddha should coincide with Pithru Thithi (Date of death). It can be performed even on other days also. However, Gaya Shraaddha should not be performed till completion of one year from the date of death.
ReplyDeletebhargavasarma
Namaste and Thanks so much for enlightening us about the Pitri karma..Have a question. I am a woman, my parents are alive. Father has been away from family for 30 years, he is not very religious and does not like rituals. Grandparents on both sides have passed away. Father's sister committed suicide soon after her marriage. There is Pitru Dosha/Rin in my horoscope. I would like to perform atleast basic karma for ancestors during this Paksh: so I have given water, Til and flowers towards Sun God. Since there are no male progeny and the delay in my marriage is said to be because of Pitru Rin, can I go to Gaya and offer all the Poojas or atleast from my home? I will offer furing this whole two weeks daily, God willing..but on Amavasya, can I give Pinda daan through priest? Kindly advise..When men in family are irresponsible, and don't follow the right way, women should not suffer needlessly..so having learnt about these methods, isn't it better to perform these poojas, than not doing them? God will surely understand and so will the Pithrus, I feel..We are also arranging for Annadhaans at temples, but this being a simple effective shraddh pooja, would like to know what is possible in such circumstance. Thanks in advance and Regards, Namaste.
ReplyDeletesir, my father-in-law expired 2 years back and my mother-in-law was expired 7years back.but the ashthis(bones) of their are at our village(puri of orissa).my question is that if we do gaya shraddha is it not necessary to do pinda dana in their respective death dates at the village(puri) ,where the bones are.now we are living in Delhi.please suggest me
ReplyDeleteA person gets eligibility to perform Pithru Karma to forefathers only after the death of his father. As such you can not perform rites to your forefathers when your father is alive. In the given situation you may ask your Paternal Uncle (Father’s brother) if he is alive or his son (if father is deceased) to perform sacred rites to your forefathers that will also satisfy your requirement.
ReplyDeleteEven though you perform Gaya Shraaddha, Pinda-daan on the respective death date should necessarily be given as long as one is alive.
ReplyDeleteNamaskaram again..Thanks for your answer..My father does not have any male siblings..only sisters..he is as good as not there, since he has not been in Indian way of life for 30 years and does not interact much with family members...he does not performed these rites as the last male member of the lineage...so atleast before marriage if I perform, then the souls may rest..I am hoping the Vedas have some way of getting around this...his father's siblings don't have any male progeny either.Thanks.
ReplyDeleteIf any of your father's sisters have male progeny, one of them can perform Shraaddha to your Paternal Grand Parents that is known as Dhouhitru Karthruka Mataamaha Shraaddha. This is usually done on the first day, that is Prathama thithi of Aaswayuja Masam. You may also give Gho-Daana (Cow) along with Ox to a Brahmin and perform Anna Daana to Brahmins on the day of your Paternal Grand Father's Thithi.
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeletewhat do you mean by 'narayana bali' in sri vaishnava sampradaya, how to do it and to whom it is to be done?
Thanking you,
yours sincerely
G.V.K.MURTHY, Bangalore.
Naaraayana Bali is a unique ritual that is prescribed to be performed for those deceased who had accidental death or for whom proper Pretha samskara and karma had not been performed. It is also prescribed as a remedy for Pithru dosha or for delay in begetting progeny, or for nagging problems and difficulties in the family.
ReplyDeleteSir,
ReplyDeleteI am visiting Gaya on 3rd Dec 2011. My father passed away on 17th Nov 2011. I am planning to perform his shraaddha on 3rd Dec 2011. Is there a rule that I can perform this only after a year, at Gaya. Kindly advise.
Ramakrishnan
Bangalore
Yes! Gaya Shraaddha should not be performed before completion of one year from the date of death.
ReplyDeleteNICE AND INFORMATIVE I WANT TO READE THE WHOOLE THEXTS I.E PART I AND PART III ON THE SUBJECT OF GAYA SRARDHA PROCEDUDRE I HAAVE SOMDDE DOUBTS TO GET CLARIFIED. I WANT TO KNOW KYOUR E MAIL ID AND CONTACT KYOU TELL ME YOUR E MAIL ID
ReplyDeleteNAMASKASRAMS
SRINVASAMOORTHYOR MY
Thanks for your appreciation. My mail id is bhagavanknl@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteSwami namaskara. Thank you so much for the information on shradha. I lost my father when I was 14 years old. I am the only child for my parents. I have no brothers or sisters. I only had my mother and we were very very poor. I did not perform any ceremony on my father's death. Due to this I am suffering from rahu kethu dosha and naaga dosha. I am having skin and domestic problems. Now I am 54 years old and I wish to perform Gaya shradha for my father. My mother passed away in 2000 for which I have done shradha. However, I also wish to perform Gaya shradha for my mother too. Kindly advice what all ceremonies I have to perform for parihara of all doshas.
ReplyDeletePlease address this query to my mail bhagavanknl@gmail.com - I will try to answer.
DeleteDear sir,
ReplyDeleteI would like to pray God to give you good health and strength
to continue your good job of giving information to others. My father is the eldest of three and just now he has visited kasi and gaya for performing rituals to my forefathers. He has done it perfectly and the people over there has told him that he need not do the shrardham every year. But nowhis brother says that they are going to do. Please help us in this regard
thanks
madhu.
Dear Madhu,
DeleteIt is a wrong notion public have! Nowhere it is mentioned. Even though one performs Pithru Sraaddha at sacred places like Kaasi and Gaya etc.. one has to continue to perform regular Pithru ceremonies like Paksha and Annual etc. without fail as long as one lives. Thanks for your good wishes.
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteWhether Pithru sraddha could be done only in Kashi or Gaya or in both the holy places?
It should be performed at both the places Kaasi and Gaya as well at Prayaaga...
Deletehave a few questions relating to Gaya Sraddha. My grand father went away from home around 45 years back. And from then we have not seen him or heard any information about his whereabouts or anything. My father and his brother did not do any karmas for him. He wouldbe around 100 by now. My mother wants to do something on this regard and my chittiah is not willing to perform Gaya sraadha, My father is not alive. Can my brother do the Gaya sraddha for him and for my father...irrespective of nothing being done by my chittiah and my father.
ReplyDeletesecondly..my husband has expired a couple of years back. I have to 2 daughters. My father in law is not doing the yearly ceremonies but giving the swayampaakam in temple on that day. I can't complain because of his age but can i ask my brother or anyone to do the GayA Sraaddha for him also.
If a person's whereabouts are not known for more than 12 years from any reliable source, death rites can be performed along with a special ritual called Narayana Bali. Then Gaya Sraddha can be performed. In the given case your brother can perform Gaya Sraaddha to your Paternal Grand father along with your father who is not alive.
DeleteIn the second case, you can authorise a Brahmin to perform Gaya Sraaddha to your husband on your behalf.
Dear Sir, My husband passed away in 2013. In 2015 i took my 2sons and daughter to kasi to do pindaan. I took 1 son to rameswaram to do pindaan in 2016. Next year feb 2017 I,ve decided to go alone to Gaya to do pindaan for my husband as financial restrain. Can a wife do pindaan for her husband in Gaya?
DeleteNamaste sir thank you very much for your valuable information I have a doubt sir some people say that after gaya shraddha to father one should only do yearly shradha without agnihotra sir is it true? Thank you sir
ReplyDeleteIt is a wrong notion. Nowhere it is mentioned. Even though one performs Pithru Sraaddha at sacred places like Kaasi,Gaya etc. one has to continue to perform regular Pithru ceremonies like Paksha and Annual etc. without fail as long as one lives.
DeleteWhether one can offer athma pinda
ReplyDeleteDear Sir,
ReplyDeleteMy father passed away in August 2016, we perform all his last rituals in Nasik. Now me and my family are willing to do his "Shardh" at Gaya as well. Can we do that, is there any tithi or day we have to look for or we can perform it at any desired day?
Regards,
Amay
Gaya Shraaddha should not be performed till completion of one year from the date of death of Pithru.
DeleteSo, can we do that any time after 1 year ??
DeleteRegards,
Amay
Yes, it can be performed at any time except on the day of your birth star;
DeleteVery good information sir.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.With god's grace,I am planning to visit Kashi,Gaya and Prayaga in mid July.Are purohits available round the clock to perform Shradh or are there any speicifc timings.
Thanks for your advise sir.
regards
KRISHNA
Namashkar, My father is alive, and he can't sit for long to perform the shraddha rituals for my ensesters can i perform the same on behalf of my father.
ReplyDeleteWhen father is alive one should not perform Pitru sraaddha.
DeleteDear swamiji after gaya shraddha we have to still continue havi on punya tithi of the deceased..?
ReplyDeleteI hv heard that after gaya ji no havi should be offered as the atma has attained salvation.
Please enlighten.
It is a wrong notion. One has to continue to perform regular Pithru ceremonies like Paksha/Annual etc. without fail as long as one lives.
DeleteMy parents are alive but they did not perform any yearly pooja to their parents all through.Now they are very stubborn not to do any pooja for their parents or ancestors. As their second son, Can I perform Gaya srardham on their behalf.Will it have any negative effect on my family?
ReplyDeleteYou should not perform when your father is alive. If your father has brothers they can perform.
Delete