Patna, September 22 (Daily Kiran) : As Pitru Paksha approaches, people across India engage in rituals like Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan to honor their ancestors. While Gaya in Bihar is a prominent pilgrimage site for these rites, there’s another significant location where Tarpan and Pind Daan must be performed before reaching Gaya. This place is the Punpun River bank, regarded as the first gateway to ancestral liberation.
Located near Patna, the Punpun River holds special importance during Pitru Paksha. It is believed that one should bathe in the river, perform Tarpan, and conduct the first Pind Daan here before proceeding to Gaya to complete additional rituals along the banks of the Falgu River.
A unique aspect of Punpun River is its connection to the legendary tales of Lord Ram and Sita. According to tradition, when Lord Ram set out to perform the Shradh and Pind Daan for his father, King Dasharath, he first offered Tarpan at the Punpun River before heading to Gaya.
Legend has it that Lord Ram, accompanied by Mata Janaki, was the first to dedicate a Pind at the riverbank. Following this, they reached Gaya to perform the Pind Daan with due rituals at the Falgu River. This belief has led to Punpun being recognized as the place for the initial Pind Daan, often referred to as the “First Gateway to Liberation.”
Religious texts also support the significance of the Punpun River. According to the Garuda Purana, it is referred to as “Adiganga.” The belief holds that performing Tarpan at the riverbank aids in the salvation of ancestors and bestows blessings on seven generations.
This enduring belief is why many begin their religious journey from Punpun during Pitru Paksha. It is customary to bathe and perform Tarpan here before moving on to Gaya for further Pind Daan and other rituals.
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