Pandit Pradeep Pandey

Asthi Visarjan is a ritual that involves the ashes (asthi) of a deceased person into the holy river water. This puja is an important part of the last rites. During Asthi Visarjan Puja at Prayagraj family members conduct prayer for the good journey to their afterlife, chant Mantras and take blessings from the soul.

Pind Daan is a ritual performed by offering prayers to the ancestors or the soul. The puja is an important part of Hindu funeral rites and is done to have a peaceful journey of the departed soul. This ritual is mostly performed on Pitru Paksha or death anniversary. Doing this puja in Prayagraj is auspicious.

Shradh is a ritual where offering is made to the ancestors like food, water and their favourite items. It is mainly done to satisfy the unfulfilled wants of spirits. The Shradh is done for mainly one ancestor and prayers include the last three generations of the ancestors from both father’s and mother’s sides. This ritual in Varanasi is done for the spirits of the ancestors to find peace and moksha. The duration of Shradh is usually 15 days, although it can be shorter or longer depending on individual beliefs and regional customs.