Book a Pandit for Pind Daan
Pind Daan is the core of the Shraddh ritual, in which pinds, balls made of rice or barley flour, are offered with sesame, ghee and kusha grass to one's ancestors (pitru). Families perform it for the peace of departed ancestors and to express gratitude to them.
What the Pind Daan includes
- Sankalp with the ancestors' names and gotra
- Tarpan with kusha, black sesame and water
- Making the pinds and offering them to the ancestors
- Panchbali (portions of food for the cow, dog, crow and others)
- Brahmin bhojan or a food donation
- Daan and dakshina
- Immersing the pinds in water or offering them to a cow
When to do it — the muhurat
Pind Daan is done especially in Pitru Paksha, the fortnight from Bhadrapad Purnima to Ashwin Amavasya, on the tithi matching the ancestor's date of death. It is also done on Amavasya, on the death anniversary, and at tirthas such as Gaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Haridwar. Shraddh rites are traditionally performed around midday, in the Kutup kaal, not in the evening or at night.
Samagri usually needed
- Kusha grass
- Black sesame (kala til)
- Barley or barley flour
- Cooked rice for the pinds
- Ghee, honey and milk
- Gangajal
- White flowers and tulsi leaves
- Janeu and a white cloth
- Leaf plates (pattal and done)
- A copper lota or vessel for tarpan
- Diya, dhoop and camphor
- Food for brahmin bhojan and items for daan
The pandit shares the exact list in the app at booking — it can differ a little by family and regional tradition.
How to book on Achman
- Download the app and pick the pooja
- See the pandit's profile, experience and languages
- Fix the date and time, and get the samagri list
- Pay securely in the app — the receipt stays there
Book a verified panditSee the profile, experience and languages, then book and pay in the app.Open in app →Frequently asked questions
Who can perform Pind Daan?
Traditionally, Pind Daan is performed by a son or a male member of the family. Today, in many families, daughters, wives or other relatives also perform it with devotion, so discuss your family's practice with your pandit.
Can Pind Daan be done at home?
Yes, Shraddh and Pind Daan are also done at home or on a river bank. Tirthas like Gaya are considered especially significant, but going there every year is not necessary.
On which tithi should Pind Daan be done?
In Pitru Paksha, Shraddh is done on the tithi on which the person passed away. If the tithi is not known, tradition allows the Shraddh of all ancestors on Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
How long does Pind Daan take?
At home, Shraddh and Pind Daan usually take one and a half to three hours, with extra time for the brahmin bhojan. At a tirtha the time depends on how elaborate the vidhi is.
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