Varanasi: Scores of devotees arrived from far-off places to perform rituals like tarpan, shraadh, and pind daan for their dead ancestors on the last day of Pitru Paksh, on Saturday. The last day of this holy night is also known as Mahalaya Amavasya, when people perform rituals for departed souls, hence, devotees thronged the ghats in large numbers and took holy dip in the Ganga. The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Damru Dal Seva Samiti, which has performed the last rites of about 550 unclaimed dead bodies so far, completed rituals at the Manikarnika ghat. President of the organisation, Omnath Sharma, said that food and clothes were also donated to priests along with dakshina (cash offering), besides, about 2 quintals of ration materials to the Apna Ghar Ashram in Samenghat area. With the end of Pitru Paksha, the city is all set to plunge into Sharadiya Navaratra festivities, beginning from Sunday. A number of puja pandals are coming up in various localities to pray to Goddess Durga. Every year, puja organisers come up with unique themes to surprise and delight the visitors. Organisers of the Baageshwari Devi Durga Puja Samiti in Jaitpura locality, Premier Boys Club, Hathua market in Lahurabir,Sai Durga Puja Samiti of Sanatan Dharam Inter College, and Baba Macchodaranath Durgotsav Samiti are known for installing grand and captivating pandals.We also published the following articles recentlyDurga Puja 2023: When is Durga Puja? Know dates, puja timings and ritualsDurga Puja 2023, a significant festival for Hindus, will be celebrated for five days starting from October 20. It commemorates the victory of good over the demon king Mahishasur. The festival is celebrated with grandeur in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Odisha, and Bihar. The rituals involve bringing the idol of Goddess Durga home, worshiping her for five days, and performing Durga Visarjan on the last day. Married women participate in Sindoor Khela, offering vermillion to each other for blessings. Durga Puja 2023 begins on October 20 and concludes on October 24.Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2023 Date, Timings, Rituals and SignificanceSarva Pitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya, is a significant day in Hindu religion dedicated to worshiping ancestors and forefathers. This year, it falls on October 14, 2023, marking the completion of Pitru Paksha. On this day, people offer prayers, perform Pitru Tarpan and Pind daan, and visit holy places. Donations, charity, and feeding animals are also considered meritorious. Sarva Pitru Amavasya occurs once a year during Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period believed to be when ancestors visit the Earth.Mahalaya Amavasya 2023: Date, Time, Rituals and SignificanceMahalaya Amavasya, observed on October 14, 2023, holds religious significance for Hindus. It is dedicated to ancestors and marks the end of the 16-day Shraddha rituals. The day also signifies the beginning of Navratri and Durga Puja. Rituals like Pitru Tarpan and Pind Daan are performed to offer prayers to ancestors and grant them salvation. Mahalaya Amavasya is believed to be the day when ancestors return to their loka, and performing these rituals ensures their happiness and blessings for the family. The rituals include taking a holy bath, offering Arghya to Surya, preparing sattvik food, and inviting Brahmins for the Tarpan ritual. Pind Daan can be performed at places like Gaya, Ujjain, Prayagraj, Nasik, Kurukshetra, and Haridwar.

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