The Jagannath Rath Yatra defines the urban landscape of Puri. And along with that, the temple stands tall in all its glory, attracting millions of devotees across the Globe. With a great contrast, at Swargadwar, the coast of Puri, a spiritual journey commences, one that is deeply personal and sacred.
Families come here for Shraadh and Pind Daan, standing barefoot on the shore as the sea receives their offerings. It is believed that souls released here reach Vaikuntha, the abode of Lord Vishnu. But more than belief, it is the atmosphere of Puri that holds the ritual with care.
Why Is Puri So Sacred for Pind Daan?
According to the Skanda Purana and Brahma Purana, Swargadwar in Puri is where the souls of the departed attain moksha, especially when their last rites or Pind Daan are performed with devotion. It is believed that Lord Vishnu himself resides in this land in the form of Jagannath, and that Yama, the god of death, gives way here, allowing liberation to even the most burdened souls.
Performing Shraadh and Pind Daan at Puri is thus an act of compassion as the sacred offering is made not in sorrow, but in reverence and gratitude.
Letting Go into the Waves
The Pind Daan process at Puri begins with a sankalpa, a vow made with the name and gotra of the ancestors. Guided by experienced purohits, the devotee offers tarpan (water mixed with sesame and darbha) and pinda (balls of rice, barley, and ghee) on the sands of Swargadwar. The ocean acts as the witness and carrier of these offerings, believed to transport them to the ancestors across realms.
Food is also offered to cows, crows, and Brahmins, representing the cycle of giving that binds all beings. The simplicity of the ritual is matched by its emotional depth, ie remembrance, release, and renewal, all offered at the feet of Lord Jagannath.
Many say that the ocean at Puri feels alive, as if it listens. As if it understands that some goodbyes are not loud. They are whispered, offered and trusted.
A Farewell Watched Over
In Puri, it is said that Lord Jagannath watches over every prayer. That nothing offered here goes unseen. That every name spoken into the sea is heard, and held. For those who come in grief, this brings comfort. The rituals may last only minutes. But the peace they leave behind stays much longer.
Here, you are reminded that the soul is never truly lost. It is remembered. It is honoured. And it is sent onward with love.
Called to the Shores of Swargadwar?
At Puri, where the ocean meets the divine, many have come seeking peace for those they love and miss. If you feel that gentle pull to offer Pind Daan in the presence of Lord Jagannath, we’re here to help you walk that sacred path, with guidance, devotion, and deep respect.
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Sometimes, healing begins by returning to the ocean and remembering with love...