Performance of Srardham or obeisance to ancestors and visit to Kasi/Varanasi is a most sacred duty of the Hindus.
Performing the prescribed Rites for the departed as laid by ht e Sastras is an important aspect of Hinduism.
Locating the Sastris or Vadhyar in both the places is an arduous task.
Not that the Sastrigals are unavailable.
There are n number of these.
But unfortunately greed for money has taken precedence over the Duty of Brahmins.
Before any one jumps the gun , let me add that I am a Brahmin and knows a bit about the Sastras, especially of Saucha and Asaucha Vidhis.
And I understand from those who have availed the services were bitter.
I had been to Gaya ,Allahabad and Varanasi recently.( by the way, why is it Ilahabad is spelled Allahabad while the Hindi script is Ilahabad?)
I presume that the purpose of those who visit these places have the performance of the Rites in mind rather than personal comforts and Five Star facilities in mind.
The information provided here is for the former.
Gaya and Kasi Srardham expenses are quoted between Rs. 25, 000 to 50,000 .
The important places to sit in Gaya are ;
Vishnu Padam , where the Pinda Pradhanam is to be performed.
The River Phalguni is more or less dried up ( at this time of the year ,November) and is dirty.
One can take bath in the place where they stay and have the Prokshana at the River.
After Prokshana, th rites are conducted.
Normal Tarpanam is followed by Pinda Pradhanam for Three generations, on the Paternal side and the Maternal side.
This accounts for 12 Pindas(Six on the paternal side, six on the maternal side)
Remember the Names of Great Grand Father and Gothras.
In addition Pindas can be offered to those who have expired in your gothra and your wife’s gothra.
Pindas can be offered to those whom you know.
One can also offer Pindas for Self, irrespective of the fact whether they have children or not.
This is called Atma Pinda and is sanctioned by the Sastra.
Pindas are also offered to the following.
Those who died in Accidents( normal Samskaras are not allowed for these people)
Those who died at a young age(Akaala Mritu)
Pregnant women , who expired.
Further a Pinda also offered to those who expired without issues or with out relatives living.(Yesham Na Matha,Na Pitha,,Na Bandhu, naanya Gothrinah:this need not be from the Brahmin community and it is for any one who is no more.
Bootha Pinda and for animals are also offered.
Total is not to exceed 32.
Pinda is made of Wheat Flour which id provided by the Puro.
You may offer money for Brahmana Bhojanam at your convenience, not less than Rs.201 per Brahmana.
The charges are Rs 250 in total for the entire Ritual.
The Dasa Dhanams are offered for this Budget.
Excepting Go Dhaana, all the Dhanams are accommodated in this.
In case you want to spend more, you can do it by purchasing them and perform the additional Dhana.
However the Mantras and the Dhanas offered by the Purohit are adequate and as per the Sastras.
The Pindas are left at the Tree in the Vishnu Pada temple (For Brahmins)
For others the Pindas are to be left in the Phalguni River.
The Pavithra is to be discarded at the Tree in the Temple.
I am providing the address at the end of this post.
You may also offer a voluntary Dakshina to the Purohit, though not compulsory.
After the ceremonies,, visit one of the Sakthii Peedas in Gaya.
As the Bodh Gaya is nearby, about 13 kms , one may visit the Bodhi Tree where the Buddha is reported to have been enlightened and the Buddhist Monasteries and Temples run by Tibet,Sri Lanka ,Japan and Bangla Desh.
Important Contact Details.
Gaya.
Sastrigal. Narayanan (Nannu), settled in Gaya for Five generations;well read in Sastras, not greedy, accepts what you offer and no short-changing in Mantras or Dhanas) Mobile: +91 88 73 22 22 86.
Auto driver Subodh for Local trips including Bodh Gaya.-Reliable,non bickering and reasonable.Mobile.+91 80 83 80 3772.
For Railway Reservations Contact. Sanjay +91 99 34 47 64 60
For Stay.
Nattukkotai Nagara Satram,171,Chan Chowra,Gaya-823001.Phone; 0631 2226480. Ask for ‘Natkot’ ,people will guide you.
Advisable to contact the Manager in 15 Days in advance for Reservations.
Only those who speak Tamil are allowed.
The facilities are basic and adequate, though not as found in lodges .
However, it is decent and the people are friendly and help you in local arrangement for Sastrigal and conveyance.
They charge a nominal entrance fee of Rs.60 ; one can use the common facilities.
For rooms with Bath Rs. 150 is charged.
South Indian Food is served at a nominal price.
They also arrange for the preparation and distribution of Anna Dhaana.
Good place for the Religiously inclined and, as I said earlier, is for those who want to perform the Rites and not recommended for the luxury prone.
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