A LARGE number of citizens paid homage through the ritual of ‘Tarpan’ to the departed souls of their ancestors, relatives and dear ones on the banks of Upper Lake here on Thursday with the beginning of Pitra-Paksh. Getting into knee-deep water of the lake, people, using ‘Kush’ (Part of grass) and black Til (Sesame seeds) offered prayers as a part of the fortnight-long occasion of Pitra-Paksh.
According to Hindu religion and mythology, it is believed that during Pitra-Paksh, the departed souls visit the earth and accept water and prayers from their dear ones. “We get to know about the importance and relevance of the occasion from Shrimad Bhagwat, Purans, Mahabharat and other Hindu scriptures,” says Pt Pankaj Bhushan Mishra, preacher of Shrimad Bhagwat and an astrologer.
“It’s a way to pay tribute to the departed souls of our dear ones, which one must follow,” he adds.