Pitru Diwali To Be Celebrated In Bihar’s Gaya Today, People To Light Up Diyas For Ancestors – News18

On October 14, Pitru Paksha Amavasya will be observed. A few days before the Pitru Paksha ends, there is a tradition to celebrate Pitru Diwali on the 14th day. Pitru Diwali is celebrated in the evening at the Devghat on the banks of river Vishnupad Falgu in Gaya, Bihar.

On this day, earthen lamps are lit across the city and fireworks are set off. As per beliefs, if you light up an earthen lamp on this day, it will enlighten your ancestors’ path on their way to heaven.

Apart from Devghat, devotees also light up the lamps near the Sun Temple and pray for the peace of their departed ancestors. Not only from India but people from abroad also visit the city on this day to seek blessings from their ancestors. They light ghee lamps for their ancestors. The whole city is decked up with diyas, colourful lights, candles and decorative items.

Additionally, people also take a bath in the Falgu river on the 14th day of Pitru Paksha and offer milk to their ancestors. Devotees from across the country come to the city to celebrate Pitru Diwali. As per beliefs, the family members pay respect to their ancestors by lighting 1000, 500 or 108 lamps. This is done to ensure that their ancestors attain salvation.

The reason why they chose this day to celebrate Diwali on this day of Pitru Paksha is their belief that on this day of Ashwin Krishna Paksha, Yamraj vacates his world, leaving the ancestors sad and hungry while seeking forgiveness for their sins. This is why they wish to eat kheer from their family members. People, to feed their ancestors, offer kheer to brahmins which leads their ancestors to attain salvation.

Meanwhile, the last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya. On this day, special pujas are performed for the ancestors. Some of them also observe fast to be liberated from Pitrudosh, Kalsarp dosh, and Shani dosh.