Hundreds of foreigners, as well Indian Hindu devotees paid respects to their ancestors in Bihar’s Gaya over the past two weeks at the grand Pitrapaksha fair being held in the city. Dev Diwali was also celebrated and devotees offered earthen lamps on the occasion to seek blessings from the ancestors.
A group of 11 German woman and one man attracted the attention of everyone as they paid their tributes to their ancestors in traditional Indian attire. While the women were all clad in simple sarees while the mam wore a dhoti. Police told the media that women cops had been deployed during the Pitrapaksha to ensure that foreign devotees feel comfortable and safe while performing their rituals.
It is believed that offering Pind Daan during Pitrapaksha satiates the ancestors and blesses them with peace. The devotees offering Pind Daan also seek blessings from the ancestors in the process.