With the start of Pitru Paksha, an important decision was made at Pishachamochhan Tirth in Varanasi, where online Shraddha and Pindadaan rituals are banned.
Pishachamochhan Tirth is one of the main religious sites for performing Pindadaan and Shraddha in the country and is considered the only Vimal Tirth. According to beliefs, souls who died violently and wander as Pretas find liberation after performing Tripindi Shraddha specifically at this sanctuary. It is also believed that this Tirth existed before the Ganges arrived on Earth.
Local Mahants strongly opposed the online performance of Shraddha and Pindadaan and imposed a complete ban on these practices at Pishachamochhan Tirth. The basis for this decision is the assertion that online rituals do not bring any benefit.
The city of Kashi is known as the abode of moksha, where it is said that Lord Shankara himself grants liberation to everyone who leaves this land. However, for those who die outside Kashi or die violently within Kashi itself, Tripindi Shraddha is performed at Pishachamochhan Kund, which happens worldwide at this Tirth.
There is a belief that performing Tripindi Shraddha at the ancient Pishachamochhan Kund in Kashi helps ancestors get rid of Preta-badhi and illnesses arising from violent death. This is why a huge number of pilgrims gather at this sanctuary during the days of Pitru Paksha. Nevertheless, this time, online Shraddha and Pindadaan are completely prohibited at this Tirth.
Mahant Varanasi, Niraj Pandey, explained that Shraddha, Tarpan, Tripindi Shraddha, Pindadaan, and Narayan Bali Shraddha at Pishachamochhan hold special significance. This means people feed and offer water to their ancestors, and also invite them to stay with them during these fifteen days of Pitru Paksha and bless them.
He emphasized that neither online Shraddha nor any other online worship is conducted at their Tirth. They have been against this since the rise of online formats. He compared it to someone sending food online, but the person having to perform it online, whereas Shraddha is performed in person.
The Mahant stated that online Shraddha is banned throughout Pishachamochhan Tirth, although sometimes some priests secretly conduct online worship. He urged pilgrims not to pressure the priests into conducting online Shraddha so they are not forced to make such concessions.
Pilgrims also supported this decision. People who visited Pishachamochhan Tirth on the occasion of Pitru Paksha found the ban on online Shraddha to be absolutely fair and justified.
Yashpal Singh from Ajamgarh stated: 'Only what a person does with their own hands according to religious rites brings spiritual peace. Online worship can never provide mental satisfaction.'
Pawan Singh from Ajamgarh noted: 'Physical presence is mandatory for Pindadaan. Performing Shraddha through online means is unsatisfactory and contrary to dignity.'
Mangal Singh from Chandawli added: 'According to our eternal and ancient tradition, the process of worship must take place this way. Practices like online Shraddha under the guise of modernity are inappropriate.'
