Rishi Rin and DevRin can be implemented in your regular lifestyle, but PitraRin has a set of activities which requires attention and separate time.
Appropriate day for performing Pitra Dan
The ritual of Pitra Dan is done throughout the year on the banks of Gaya, but there is a specific time which is considered to be the most auspicious. Occasions in the Amawasya when there is KrishnaPaksh during the months of the auspicious PitriPakshmela held for 18 days are the most significant days. People in large numbers gather here to perform these rites.
Following are the rituals as part of the Sraddth or PindDaan rite performed in Gaya Ji that includes:-
Snana and Sankalpa : Take a bath in the holy River Ganges before performing Pind Dan.
PindDaan : The worshiping of the departed souls and the ancestors.
Tarpan : In this act the closest relatives make a sacred offering to God so that the soul may enter Swarga.Tarpana is also referred as Arghya where an offering is made to all the 5 Devas and Navagrahas. Some perform Tarpana by using water and Sesame seeds during PitruPaksha which is known as Tilatarpana.
Types of Pitra Dan
There are various sets of rites which are supposed to be performed depending on the type of death.
Ekodrishti Gaya Shradh
This is performed in a day. For EkodrishtiShradh you need to cover only three important vedis i.e. Falgu River, Visnupada Temple, and the Akshavata.
If the death is abnormal then you need to visit Pretshila, Gayakup, and Dharmaranya.
Vrihada Gaya Shradh
This requires the investment of more time and you will have to visit 54 Vedis or locations.
PoonpooncharanPuja, Falgu River, Vishnupada, Brahma Kunda, Pretshilla, Ram shilla, Ram Kund, Kartikpada, Mat Gowapi, MundaPristha, Jiwha Loll, Kagbali, Ganeshpada, Ram Gaya, DhudTarpan, Uttarmanas, Amarasichen, Sandyanagnipada, Sitakund, Baitarni, Udichi, Rudrapada, Yagnipada, Souvagyadan, Akshoybata, Kankhal, Brahmapada, Dadhisthipada, Gayasir, GayatriGhat, DakhinManas, Kannapada, Gayakup, Kopada, Agasthapada, Indarapada, kashyapapada, Gajakaran, Dadhigagni, Ahabaniagni, suryapada, saraswati , gajhadarji, dharmaranya, brahmasarover, amrasichen, akshoybata, gayatrighat, dhodpada, adhigaya, Mundaprishta, udichi, kannapada.