The Pitr Paksha festival is taking place in the holy land of Gaya, lasting for 15 days. During this period, pilgrims arrive not only from the country but also from abroad. Foreign pilgrims come here to perform pindanda and tarpan with the aim of attaining peace and freeing the souls of their ancestors.
Among these pilgrims are people from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Italy, and Germany. All of them performed pindanda and tarpan for their ancestors according to established rituals.
During the Pitr Paksha festival, many foreign pilgrims visited Deva Ghat, located near the Vishnu Pad temple. They performed pindanda and tarpan on the banks of the Falgu River in accordance with Vedic traditions. The district administration provided security measures for foreign pilgrims at the sites of the pindanda.
An international woman from Ukraine, Alice Jandra, reported that she was impressed by Hinduism (Sanatana Dharma). She came to Gaya with the desire to ensure the liberation of her ancestors. Alice also mentioned that pilgrims from other countries arrived with her, who are also performing pindanda and tarpan.
Elder priest Loknat Gaud, who conducts pindanda for foreign pilgrims, stated that during the Pitr Paksha festival, female pilgrims from many countries, including Italy and Germany, arrived in Gaya. He noted that these pilgrims had adopted Hinduism in their home countries.
According to available information, initially, all these female pilgrims practiced Christianity. However, after learning about the virtues of Sanatana Dharma, they decided to adopt this religion. Loknat Gaud added that when these pilgrims asked him about the first steps in Sanatana Dharma, he was explained that salvation is possible only through performing Shraddha (ancestral rites) for the ancestors. After that, the foreign pilgrims traveled to Gaya to perform pindanda for their ancestors.