Varshik Shraddh | Pitru Karyas | Gaya Vishnupad

Perform Varshik Shraddh at Gaya Vishnupad Punnya Kshetra to the departed seeking the blessings of Pitru Devatas.

Gaya Vishnupad or the Gaya Punnya Kshetra is a very important destination for all those who want to perform Varshik Shraddh, Teerth Shradh and many related Pitru Karyas.

What is Shraddha, Varshika Shraddha or Varshabdikam?

Shraddha (श्राद्ध्) is a faithful offering to the departed. Conscious beings in forefathers (Read as: Atma or soul) go to higher realms of existence. We need to remember them and offer our prayers and food to them. Shraddha Karma or Shradh is performed every year on the day of death of the parent as per the Hindu Panchangam date. Shradh Vidhi is generally performed at home or in Punnya Kshetras. This generally referred as the ‘Annual Death Anniversary’ and is also known as Annual Shraddha ceremony. The yearly death anniversary ritual has many names like Mritaanna Shraddha, Mrtanna Samvatsarik Sraddha, Samvatsarik Shraddha (or simply Samvatsarikam) or Paarvana Shraddha. It is addressed as “Srardham or Shrardham” in Tamil. It is in general called as Shraddha Tithi or simply ‘Tithi’. In the North India, this is also called Brahman Bhoj or Brahmana Bhojanam.

Why is Shraddha Performed?

Hindu sanatan dharma prescribes a set of rituals to be followed in life. Shraddha Karma or Shradh Puja are among these.

According to ancient Hindu Shastras, men or women are indebted to three forms of debts knowns as ‘Devaruna’, ‘Rishiruna’ and ‘Pitruruna’. Amongst these ‘runas’, clearing of ‘Pitruruna’ (ancestral debt) is important because we are indebted to parents or ancestors since we get this physical body only through them and we enjoy all material benefits through this body.

Hence, performing Shraddha is said to help us get the Ashirvaadam or benevolence of the departed Pitru Devathas.

Varshika Shraddha / Barsi Ceremony

‘Pitruruna’ can be cleared by performing Varshika Shraddha (known as Barsi Ceremony) or yearly death ceremony which falls on the Thithi, as per the Hindu Panchangam on which the parent deceased. On that particular Chandramana (lunar calendar) ‘Tithi’, Varshik Shraddha ceremony is carried out.

During this ritual, the Devatas (VASU, RUDRA AND ADITYA) are invoked and Pitrus are reached through them. Pitruruna ceremony and rituals carried by surviving son or sons on the ‘Shraddha Thithi’ is known as Varshika Shraddha.

Carrying out Varshika shraddha in ‘Teertha Kshetras’ (holy places) has been considered highly meritorious as mentioned in Puranas. Important Teertha Kshetras are Gaya-Prayagraj, Gokarna, Hardwar, Kashi (Varanasi), Rameswaram-Sethukarai, Srirangapatna, Trimbakeshwar and many more.

Shradh Vidhi / Important steps in Shraddh

Shraddh performed can be broadly divided into four steps.

Vishwadeva Sthapana

Devatas – Vasu, Rudra, Aditya and Pitrus are invoked through Mantras with Brahmins. Through the process of consulting a professional priest and all the procedures are performed with materials to perform the ritual.

Feeding of Brahmins

Food is offered to Brahmins in gratitude.

Pind Daan

Food is offered to the Pitrus that has been prepared of rice, barley, cow milk, honey, ghee, sugar and many more. This is either fed to cow or offered in waterbodies like lakes, river or sea.

Tarpanam

Tarpanam or Tarpan is offering water along with sesame seeds, barley, kusha grass and white flours.

Annual Subscription Service

We offer Annual subscription service to have the Varshika Shraddha and Pitru Paksha performed every year in the name of your parent(s) or ancestors in your absence at any of the holy ‘Kshetras’ across India. The ritual will be performed as per ‘Vedic’ practices by one of our qualified purohits along with an offering of food and ‘dakshina’ to eligible brahmins. Contact our customer support for enquiries on this service.

Vedic Pandit for Varshik Shraddh at Gaya Vishnupad

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Where is Gaya?

Gaya Kshetra is one of the popular Mukti Sthalas in India. Gaya Punya Kshetra on the banks of Phalgu River is the sought after place for performing Pujas and rituals related to ancestors. Devotees from all over visit Gaya Kshetra to perform rites like Atma Pinda Dan, Gaya Shraddha and Preta Shraddha, Moksha Narayanabali or Vishnubali, Tripindi Shraddha seeking salvation. Also Kalasarpa Shanti, Navagraha Shanti, Akala Maran Shanti (Untimely death) are performed here. Presiding deity of Lord Vishnu is called Gadadhar and is known to give Mukti (salvation).

It is mentioned in Vayu Purana, Lord Vishnu is said to have given salvation to Gayasura here and gave a boon that his name will be mentioned as a proof of having performed rituals to the departed. Gaya Kshetra is located in the state of Bihar about 100km from its capital Patna which was known as Pataliputra in historic days. Gaya is one of the three places mentioned in the shastras as being best for Pitru karyas. The other two are Kashi and Prayag (Also called Teertharaja).

Perform Varshik Shraddh Ritual at Gaya at affordable cost with best Vedic and highly experienced Pandits and Purohits from PurePrayer.

Vishnupad Temple

Vishnupad Temple in Gaya Kshetra is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and also a must visit Vishnu temple of India. The Foot print of Lord Vishnu (Vishnupaad) is stamped on a solid rock called Dharmashila. Many devout followers of Sri Hari (Vaishnavites) offer many kinds of Pujas here..

Akshayavat in Vishnupad Temple

Generally once in a year every banyan tree releases all its leaves, but it is said that, Akshayavat tree does not release its leaves at all. This Batavriksha remains evergreen, even during draught-like conditions. It is said that the tree has existed since Treta Yug when Sita gave a boon that the tree would remain immortal. It is located in the courtyard of Vishnupad temple.

Prethashila

Prethashila, the hill of the Pretas(dissatisfied spirits) is lying at a distance of about 8km to from Vishnupada temple. This is another place, where the sacred rites are required to be performed first before even visiting the temple. It is mentioned in Vyasa Mahabharat, that performing rituals at Pretashila neutralizes the sins of even Brahmahatya dosh. Vayu Purana mentions that we have to offer Pindas to ancestors on its summit, take a holy bath in the Brahma Kunda at the foot of the hill and offer its water to the Gods and Pitru Devatas. Lord Brahma had performed Ashwamedha Yaag at this place.

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Shradh 2024 (Shradh 2024) | Gaya Vishnupad

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha 2024 start date is on Wednesday 18^th Sept, 2024 with the Poornima Thithi and Pitru Paksha 2024 end date is on Wednesday 02^nd Oct, 2024 with Mahalaya Amavasya Thithi. Mahalaya Pitru Paksha is also known as Mahalaya Shradh, Pitru Pak, Sarva Pitri or Simply Pitri.

Please visit www.pureprayer.com or call us on +91 8151002255, WA No: +91 9606036988 to learn more about booking online Pandits/Purohits for all Pujas, Havans and many more.

Perform Varshik Shraddh at Gaya Vishnupad Punnya Kshetra to the departed seeking the blessings of Pitru Devatas.