Pitru Paksha: Is performing online shraddha and pind daan valid as per scriptures

As Pitru Paksha begins, people start remembering their ancestors and preparing for shraddha, tarpan and pind daan. During these days, people travel to religious cities such as Gaya, Kashi, Prayagraj and Mathura to pray for the peace and liberation of their ancestors. But reaching these pilgrimage sites is not easy for everyone these days. This is why some people are now choosing to perform online shraddha and pind daan from home. This raises the question of whether performing shraddha online is correct as per the scriptures, and whether it yields the full benefit of the ritual.

Pitru Paksha holds special significance in Sanatan Dharma. This year, Pitru Paksha begins on Sunday, September 27, and ends on October 10 with Sarva Pitri Amavasya. During these 15 days, people perform shraddha and pind daan for their ancestors. Performing shraddha, tarpan and pind daan at specific pilgrimage sites for the peace and liberation of ancestors is considered important.

These days, due to busy schedules and lack of time, many people perform the shraddha ritual digitally from home. Some believe that performing shraddha through digital means is not proper according to the rules of Sanatan Dharma. Astrologers say that performing shraddha this way does not yield the full benefit of the ritual.

However, if a person cannot reach pilgrimage sites such as Kashi, Prayagraj, Mathura, Dwarka, Haridwar or Gaya, the shraddha ritual can also be performed at home or at a nearby pond. According to scriptures, shraddha and tarpan are rituals performed with devotion. Therefore, a person can perform shraddha, pind daan and tarpan for their ancestors with devotion at any place convenient to them.

Purity should be given special attention while performing shraddha and tarpan. For this, rituals such as pind daan and tarpan should be performed only after bathing and wearing clean clothes. There is also a tradition of holding kusha grass in hand during this time. After this, water is offered between the thumbs of the right hand while remembering the ancestors. According to tradition, following the proper rituals and devotion while performing tarpan is considered essential.

There is also a tradition of feeding a Brahmin after the pind daan and shraddha rituals. Before feeding the Brahmin, it is advised to set aside food separately for a cow, a crow, a dog and an ant. It is believed that doing so keeps the ancestors' blessings with the family.