Pitrupaksha Begins with Sacred Til Tarpan Rituals at Bindusagar Pond

Bhubaneswar, Sept 8, 2025 — The sacred fortnight of Pitrupaksha commenced today with solemn rituals at the historic Bindusagar pond in Bhubaneswar. As per Hindu tradition, this 15-day period is dedicated to paying homage to ancestors through offerings and prayers.

From early morning, devotees thronged the banks of Bindusagar to perform Til Tarpan, a ritual involving the offering of sesame seeds and water to departed souls. The air resonated with Vedic chants as Brahmins guided participants through the rites, invoking peace and blessings for their forefathers.

The rituals mark the beginning of Ashwin Krishna Paksha Pratipada, and will continue until Amavasya, the new moon day. Devotees also performed Pinda Daan, offering rice balls as a symbolic gesture of feeding their ancestors in the afterlife.

Bindusagar pond, located in the Ekamra Kshetra heritage zone, has long been a spiritual hub during Pitrupaksha. The gathering reflected deep cultural reverence and the enduring legacy of ancestral worship in Odisha.