First Day of Maha Navratri 101KG Puri, Kale Chane & Halwa Bhojan Needy Seva
There are sevas that don't just serve food, they serve dignity. On the first day of Navratri, while most people wake up to celebration, there are those who wake up to another hungry morning. Not because this day means less to them, but because hunger does not pause for occasions. A warm plate of Puri, Kale Chane and Halwa placed before someone who had nothing today is not just a meal. It is the feeling that on this day, someone saw them. This 101KG Bhojan Seva exists for that moment, so that the first day of Navratri begins with the most honest form of devotion there is.
Why Puri, Kale Chane and Halwa?
Each item in this bhojan carries its own significance. Kale Chane is specifically dear to Devi, as recorded in the Skanda Purana and Devi Bhagavatam - it represents Shakti, strength. Halwa is the goddess's beloved sweet offering, associated with sukh, samridhi and santosh - joy, prosperity and contentment, in a devotee's life. Puri is listed in the Puranas as purika, among the items considered most suitable for naivedya, direct offering to the deity. Together, this is not an ordinary meal. It is the exact bhojan the goddess is said to love, offered in her name by placing it before those who need it most.
Why Ganga Ghat, Haridwar?
Garuda Purana lists Haridwar among the seven Moksha-giving cities of India, a land purified over centuries by the penance of sages and saints, and home to the life-giving River Ganga. Bhojan offered here, to the needy, on the first day of Navratri, does not simply feed the hungry. It rises from one of the most sacred grounds this land holds.
Through Sri Mandir, the complete 101KG Puri, Kale Chane and Halwa Bhojan Seva is performed at Ganga Ghat, Haridwar on the first day of Navratri, in your name. A video reaches you within 24–48 hours.
This booking is a collective act of service, made meaningful by everyone who participates. It is a shared contribution for a higher purpose. Through this collective offering, we are able to carry this sacred initiative forward and reach many more people.
Mahaseva is a very virtuous and fruitful donation, which has been mentioned repeatedly in the Vedas and Puranas. When a person performs the highest acts like food, clothing and grains with devotion and selflessness, it is called Mahaseva. This donation not only destroys the sins of the donor, but also satisfies the ancestors, gods and sages and liberates him from the bondage of karma of many births!
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The Garuda Purana clearly states that ancestors reside in Pitru Loka in a “vayu-rupa” (air-like form) and return to their descendants during Pitru Paksha. The ancestors are said to reside in Chandraloka, and during Pitru Paksha, the distance between Earth and the Moon is at its shortest, both scientifically and spiritually. On Purnima, when the Moon is full, the ancestors are believed to be at their most active and receptive. This is the science of Shradh - when a descendant remembers their ancestors with a Sankalp in their name, the invitation is believed to reach that soul.
Every human being is born with five debts, among which Pitru Rin is considered the greatest. If it is not fulfilled through Shraadh and Tarpan during Pitru Paksha, it gradually takes the form of “Pitru Dosha.” To a greater or lesser extent, everyone carries some form of Pitru Rin in their life. However, in families that regularly perform Pitru rituals, this Dosha is believed to remain inactive. In families that have not performed Shraadh for several generations, this Dosha is believed to become more prominent.
Yes, absolutely. It is a major misconception that only men can perform Shraadh. The Ramayana provides an example: when Rama and Lakshmana went to collect the required materials, Mata Sita performed Pind Daan for King Dasharatha alone on the banks of the Phalgu River. This Shraadh was so powerful that Rama’s Sankalp letter became a witness. The verse “Ye ke chasmatkule jata aputta gotravighrahah” clearly indicates that even in the absence of a son, a daughter or any descendant can perform Shraadh.
Yes! Shraadh is not performed only for deceased parents - it can also be performed for grandparents, maternal grandparents, great-grandparents, and any departed ancestor of the family. Even if all three generations are alive, their ancestors (such as great-grandparents) may still be awaiting Shraadh. The Sankalp during Pitru Paksha is always made for “all the ancestors of the lineage.”
Pitru rituals, Tarpan, and Shraadh can be performed throughout the year, but their spiritual significance during Pitru Paksha is believed to be thousands of times greater. The reason is that during this fortnight, ancestors are believed to come closer to Earth, allowing offerings to reach them more directly and immediately. Just as there is a difference between making a phone call and speaking to someone face-to-face, Shraadh during Pitru Paksha is like speaking to them face-to-face. The Markandeya Purana states that Tarpan performed during Pitru Paksha keeps the ancestors satisfied throughout the year.
Yes, the scriptures give clear permission for this. - those who were dear to you and whose passing brought you grief - may also be honoured through Shraadh. During Pitru Paksha, take a special Sankalp in their name and perform the rituals for the peace of their soul. There is no limit to love, and Shraadh is considered its highest expression.
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