Pitru Paksha is considered very special for Hinduism. The fifteen days of the Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month are called Pitru Paksha. This time Pitru Paksha started from 10th September. On the days of Pitru Paksha, people perform Shraddh on the death anniversary of their ancestors. It is a religious belief that by performing Shraddh in Pitru Paksha, Pind Daan reaches directly to the ancestors. It is believed that during Pitru Paksha, Yamraj also frees the souls of the ancestors, so that they can be satisfied by living among their descendants on earth and consuming food and water. On the days of Pitru Paksha, people remember their ancestors and perform Pind Daan, tarpan, and charity in their name. It is believed that when people leave their bodies and go away, then for the peace of their souls, Pind Daan and Tarpan are performed in Gaya with reverence.

Performing Shraddh in Pitru Paksha is considered important for the peace of the souls of the ancestors. It is said that by giving Pind Daan in Gaya, the ancestors get power and that power helps them to reach heaven hereafter. 55 places across the country are considered important for performing Pind Daan and Shraddh rituals, but the Gaya pilgrimage of Bihar is paramount among them. It is a religious belief that Lord Shri Hari resides here in the form of a father deity. That is why it is also called Pitru Teerth. Due to the importance of Gaya, lakhs of people come here every year to offer Pind Daan to their ancestors. Let us know the reasons behind performing Shraddh Karma in Gaya.

1- Brahma Ji had given a boon to Gayasur, those who donate Pind to their ancestors at this place during the period of Pitru Paksha in Gaya, will get salvation.

2- Dashrath Ji died after Shri Ram Ji went to the forest. During this, Sita Ji had given the body to the phantom soul of Dashrath Ji in Gaya itself. That is why from that time this place is considered paramount for tarpan and pind daan.

3- Knowing the son in Gaya and touching it in the Falgu River leads to the death of the ancestor.

4- By giving the proof of the letter along with the sesame in the Gaya region, the father gets to Akshayalok. By donating Pind here, one gets rid of grave sins like Brahmahatya, Supana, etc.

5- By donating Pind in Gaya one gets the result of Koti Tirtha and Ashwamedha Yagya. Here one can donate Pind to the person doing Shraddh during any period. Also, eating Brahmins here satisfies the ancestors.

6- By shaving before performing Pind Daan in Gaya, one goes to Baikunth, as well as attains work, anger, and salvation.

7- The river Falgu, Tulsi, crow, cow, banyan tree, and Brahmins present in Gayaji testify to the Shraddha rituals performed by them.

8- Mata Sita had done Tarpan in Gaya ji. By donating Pind in Gaya, the soul attains salvation. Hence this place is also called Moksha Sthali.

9- Lord Vishnu himself resides in the form of Pitrudev in Gaya. By performing Shraddh Karma and Tarpan method in Gaya, nothing remains left and the person becomes free from Pitru debt.

10- In Pitru Paksha, those who offer three anjalis of sesame-mixed water to their ancestors, their sins from birth till the day of the tarpan are destroyed.