Pitru Paksha Shraddh 8 Days Gaya ji Falgu River Pitru Tarpan
In the Garuda Purana, Lord Vishnu tells: "Without Jal-Tarpan in Pitru Paksha, ancestors remain thirsty. And only when the ancestors are satisfied does the life of their descendants become truly fulfilled." The word Tarpan itself carries the answer - it means to satisfy, to quench. Across every Pitru Paksha, your ancestors wait - not for elaborate ritual - but for a simple Tarpan. Offered in their name. At a sacred bank. By a descendant who remembers.
Lord Shri Ram chose Falgu - and that made it
supreme
When Lord Shri Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshmanji came to perform the Shraddh of
King Dashrath, they had access to every sacred tirtha in all of creation. Every river.
Every holy bank. The Rishis of the age were with them as guides. And the bank they
chose - the tirtha they chose - was Falgu Nadi at Gaya. When the Lord Himself
performs Pitru-karma at a specific tirtha, no further validation is required. The
sanctity of Falgu was not declared by the shastras alone - it was affirmed by the
Lord's own act of devotion to His father.
Three Mahapuranas - 21 generations liberation
The Vayu Purana, the Agni Purana, and the Garuda Purana - three of the eighteen
Mahapuranas - declare in absolute unison: Shraddh and Tarpan performed at Gaya's
Falgu river liberates twenty-one generations of ancestors. Your great-great-grandparents. Their parents. And every generation before them - reaching back across centuries - all touched by a single act of Tarpan at this one bank.
Falgu Nadi, Gaya - The supreme Pitru Tirtha of all Sanatan
Dharma
The earth of Gaya is Gayasur's own body, consecrated by Lord Vishnu's lotus feet - and it is this divine Vishnu-sparsha that makes every act of Pitru-karma performed here arrive at its greatest potency. Falgu Nadi flows through this already sacred earth. A tirtha within a Moksha Tirtha. The convergence of river and land that the entire tradition points toward when it speaks of Pitru liberation.
Perform Falgu Tarpan from anywhere - through Sri Mandir
Traveling to Gaya and personally performing Tarpan at the Falgu bank is not possible for everyone. But through Sri Mandir, from anywhere in the world, Gaya's Vedic priests will perform your complete Pitru Tarpan with Sankalp taken in your name, ancestor’s name and gotra, in full Vedic observance at the Falgu bank. Video of the Tarpan will be delivered to you within 24–48 hours.
The Garuda Purana gives a clear account of the method of tarpan and how it reaches them. Jal is offered as anjali along with sesame seeds, kush grass, and the chanting of mantras - the ancestors, positioned in the sky and in the southern direction, receive it there. The scriptures say: "One who performs tarpan with anjali of jal mixed with sesame seeds grants their ancestors satisfaction for many years." The ancestors exist in a subtle body, and it is in that subtle form that they receive the Tarpan.
Yes, once you book an offering, you will receive a certificate immediately. You can view your certificate under the 'Services' page in the 'Your Bookings' section.
Don’t worry. If you do not know your gotra, you can write “Kashyapa Gotra” or “Unknown Gotra” - these are considered scripturally accepted alternatives. And if you do not know your ancestors’ names either, you can say in the Sankalp: “May all known and unknown ancestors of my lineage accept this offering.” This is where the unseen flow of the Saraswati River is believed to play its role - carrying the offering to unknown ancestors.
The Garuda Purana states: “Sesame seeds originated from the body of Lord Vishnu.” Therefore, sesame is considered one of the purest and safest offerings. Adding sesame to Tarpan is believed to protect the offering from “demonic obstacles” (Daitya Badha) and help it reach the ancestors directly. Sesame is also considered dear to both Shani Dev and Yamaraj; therefore, sesame-water (Til-Jal) is believed to help pacify both karmic afflictions and Pitru Dosha.
Sri Mandir is an App that allows you to book chadhavas at more than 100 renowned temples across India from the comfort of your home. You can select multiple options and include them in a single order.
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 Shraddha 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 Shraddha for several generations, this Dosha is believed to become more prominent.
Yes, absolutely. It is a major misconception that only men can perform Shraddha. 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 Shraddha 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 Shraddha.
Yes! Shraddha 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 Shraddha. The Sankalp during Pitru Paksha is always made for “all the ancestors of the lineage.”
Pitru rituals, Tarpan, and Shraddha 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, Shraddha 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. The list of people for whom Shraddha may be performed at Gokarna includes a teacher, disciple, friend, father-in-law, brother-in-law, maternal uncle, brother, and sister. “Atmiya Jana” — those who were dear to you and whose passing brought you grief — may also be honoured through Shraddha. 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 Shraddha is considered its highest expression.
If you face any issues with your Service, you can contact our Sri Mandir customer service team at 📞918296947757, who are always ready to assist you.