Record pilgrim numbers at Gaya's annual ancestral rites festival

Gaya, a major pilgrimage destination in Bihar, is experiencing unprecedented crowds during its celebrated 15-day Pitripaksh Mela, an annual observance dedicated to ancestral veneration. The festival draws devotees seeking to perform pindadan—ritual offerings of rice balls—and other funeral rites believed to liberate departed souls.

The Vishnu Pad Temple and the banks of the Falgu River have become focal points for the intensive religious activities, with pilgrims conducting shraddha rituals and water offerings. The sacred sites are witnessing a continuous stream of worshippers performing ceremonies for their deceased relatives during this spiritually significant period.

According to the district administration, pilgrim numbers have reached extraordinary levels, with approximately 395,000 visitors recorded on a single day—a new record for the annual gathering. The influx reflects both the deep-rooted religious significance of the Pitripaksh observance in Hindu tradition and Gaya's status as one of South Asia's most revered pilgrimage centers.

The fortnight-long festival remains one of the most important occasions for families to fulfill their ancestral duties and seek blessings. Local authorities have been managing the substantial crowds while maintaining pilgrimage site operations and religious ceremonies throughout the mela period.