Bodh Gaya: Preparations are in full swing for the Pitripaksha, the fortnight-long festival of departed souls, at historic Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya.
The local administration is working hard to ensure cleanliness, road repair, drinking water, accommodation and transportation and uninterrupted power supply for pilgrims.
The administration has also appealed the people to co-operate in maintaining cleanliness during the fair.
Pilgrims from different parts of the country and neighbouring countries flock to Bodh Gaya during this period to perform the ‘pindadaan' ritual at 48 Vedis spread over different areas of the town. Vishnupad Mandir, Ramshila, Pretshila, Akchaywat and Baitarni are few important points in the city where the rituals are conducted.
‘Pindadaan' is one of the most important ritual performed by Hindus for the departed souls.
According to Hindu calendar, Pitripaksha (which usually fall in the month of September and October) starts every year from the day of ‘Anant Chaturdashi' of ‘Bhadra Shuklapaksh' and ends on ‘Pratipada' of ‘Ashwin Shuklapaksha'.
It is believed that performing ‘pindadaan' in Bodh Gaya helps in getting ‘Moksha' to the souls of ancestors.
