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Foreign pilgrims perform ancestral rites at Gaya's sacred Falgु river

Visitors from Russia, Italy, Ukraine, and Germany have participated in traditional Hindu shraddha ceremonies at Gaya during the Pitru Paksh fortnight. The foreign devotees performed pinda daan and tarpanam rituals along the banks of the Falgu River near the Vishnupad Temple.

LSN India · 3 October 2026

Foreign pilgrims perform ancestral rites at Gaya's sacred Falgु river

Gaya in Bihar has witnessed an influx of international pilgrims during the Pitru Paksh period, with visitors from Russia, Italy, Ukraine, and Germany converging on the sacred Falgu River to perform ancestral rites. The foreigners gathered at Devghat, a revered spot near the Vishnupad Temple complex, to conduct pinda daan and tarpanam ceremonies in accordance with Hindu traditions.

The rituals, which form an integral part of the Pitru Paksh festival, are believed to honour and provide spiritual relief to deceased ancestors. Devotees offer rice balls and water to their forebears during this fortnight, considered auspicious for such observances in the Hindu calendar.

The district administration has made special security arrangements at the designated pinda daan site to facilitate the foreign pilgrims and ensure their safety during the ceremonies. The presence of international visitors underscores Gaya's continued significance as a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus across the globe.

Gaya, located on the banks of the Falgu River, remains one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, drawing devotees throughout the year for various religious observances and rituals associated with ancestral worship.