As we leave home, we mainly carry the intangible memories and a few tangible effects. These intangible memories include the deeper inheritances of the bonds we share with our ancestors, even across continents. Like the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder.
For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), performing ancestral rituals like Pind Daan can feel distant or unfamiliar. However, the longing to honour the ancestors never fades. It lingers on, especially when there is a sense of grief and during Pitru Paksha, the sacred fortnight.
Does Distance Break the Ritual?
Not at all. In Sanatan Dharma, the power of a ritual lies not in the location but in the intention. The Garuda Purana tells us that a sincere offering, done with faith and remembrance, reaches the soul, wherever it may be.
While places like Gaya, Varanasi, and Haridwar are deeply sacred, many NRIs choose to perform Pind Daan through trusted priests or spiritual travel facilitators who represent them at these holy sites. These offerings are made in their name, with the same care and devotion, as if they were physically present.
Rituals Across Cultures
In many countries, NRIs also perform symbolic versions of the rituals. They may offer water and black sesame seeds into a flowing river. They may light a diya at sunrise, chant mantras or pay their respects through prayers at home. None of these actions is less, as the soul does not need elaborate offerings. It responds to love, remembrance, and sincerity. That is what every ritual is truly made of.
Staying Connected
For children born and raised abroad, these rituals is a bridge to family, but also to their collective identity. Explaining the meaning behind shraaddh or taking them along for a visit to a pilgrimage town becomes a gentle way to pass on values that no book alone can teach.
Many families plan their visits to India around Pitru Paksha or important anniversaries. Some choose to combine their trip with a pilgrimage to Gaya or a visit to the banks of the Ganga. These moments leave lasting impressions. They become part of the family story. We at Shraadh can guide you for a guilt-free Pind Daan online, wherever you are! Contact us right away!