->BrownHairedGirl m {{Bare URL inline}} refs to sites where WP:REFLINKS won't get title. See User:BrownHairedGirl/No-reflinks websites |
m correct lead also and improved wording for accuracy |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:Pinda Daan - Jagannath Ghat - Kolkata 2012-10-15 0701.JPG|thumb|A man holding | {{Short description|Sanskrit term for a riceball used in Hindu rituals}} | ||
''' | [[File:Pinda Daan - Jagannath Ghat - Kolkata 2012-10-15 0701.JPG|thumb|A man holding a pinda in his hand, during the [[Pitru Paksha|pitru paksha]] ritual]] | ||
'''Pinda''' ([[Sanskrit]]: पिण्ड, ''piṇḍa'') are balls of cooked [[rice]] mixed with [[ghee]] and black sesame seeds offered to ancestors during Hindu funeral rites ([[antyesti]]) and ancestor worship ([[Śrāddha]]).<ref>{{cite book |last=Monier-Williams |first=Monier |title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary |publisher=Clarendon Press |year=1899 |page=626}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Wilkins |first=W. J. |title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co. |year=1913 |pages=345–347}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Gold|first=Ann|title=Fruitful Journeys: The Ways of Rajasthani Pilgrims|publisher=Waveland Press Inc|year=2000|isbn=1577661338|location=Prospect Heights, Illinois|pages=82}}</ref> According to the [[Garuda Purana]], offering a pinda to a recently departed individual helps unite their soul with their ancestors.<ref name=":1">Gold, Ann (2000). ''Fruitful Journeys: The Ways of Rajasthani Pilgrims''. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press Inc. p. 90. {{ISBN|1577661338}}.</ref> The ritual act of donating pindas is called the ''pinda dana''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> | |||
{{Hinduism}} | |||
== Etymology == | |||
The word ''pinda'' in [[Sanskrit]] literally means "lump" or "ball". In ritual use, it refers specifically to food balls (often of rice, barley flour, and sesame seeds) that are sanctified and offered to the departed. References to pindas occur in the Dharmashastras and Puranic literature, where they are described as a means of sustaining the departed soul.<ref>{{cite book |last=Monier-Williams |first=Monier |title=A Sanskrit-English Dictionary |publisher=Clarendon Press |year=1899 |page=626}}</ref> | |||
== Ritual significance == | |||
In Hindu tradition, pindas symbolize the physical body of the deceased and serve as a medium through which descendants express filial duty. By offering pindas, devotees are believed to provide nourishment to their forebears and assist their souls in attaining peace. The ''[[Garuda Purana]]'' prescribes the offering of pindas as part of funeral rites, noting that without such offerings, ancestors may remain restless.<ref>{{cite book |last=Wilkins |first=W. J. |title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic |publisher=Thacker, Spink & Co. |year=1913 |pages=345–347}}</ref> | |||
== Timing and occasions == | |||
Pindas are most commonly offered during ''[[Śrāddha|shraddha]]'' ceremonies, especially in the fortnight of ''[[Pitru Paksha]]'', when Hindus perform rites for the welfare of their ancestors. They are also offered on death anniversaries, during ''tithi'' shraddha, and in certain festivals dedicated to forebears.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kane |first=P. V. |title=History of Dharmasastra |publisher=Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute |year=1941 |volume=4 |pages=161–165}}</ref> | |||
== Procedure == | |||
The pindas are typically made of cooked rice mixed with sesame seeds and barley flour, sometimes with ghee or honey. They are shaped into balls and sanctified with mantras. The offerings are placed on leaves or directly on the ground near water, such as a riverbank or ghat. The officiating priest guides the rituals, which may include ''[[tarpana]]'' (libations of water and sesame) alongside the pindas.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bhattacharyya |first=N. N. |title=Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-Religious Study of the Hindu Rites |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1996 |pages=112–114}}</ref> | |||
== Locations and practice == | |||
Certain pilgrimage sites are considered especially sacred for the offering of pindas. The town of [[Gaya, India|Gaya]] in Bihar is renowned as the foremost place for pinda-daan, attracting pilgrims from across India. Other significant sites include [[Haridwar]], [[Allahabad]] (Prayagraj), [[Varanasi]], and [[Kushinagar]]. Each of these locations has ghats and temples where pindas are ritually offered.<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaya – Sacred City of Salvation |url=https://tourism.bihar.gov.in/en/destinations/gaya |access-date=28 September 2025 |publisher=Bihar Tourism}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Fuller |first=C. J. |title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India |publisher=Princeton University Press |year=2004 |pages=223–225}}</ref> | |||
== Philosophical background == | |||
The practice is rooted in the belief that the departed exist in a subtle state and depend upon offerings from their descendants. By performing pinda-daan, the living acknowledge a continuing bond with the dead and fulfill their [[dharma]] of filial responsibility. The ''[[Matsya Purana]]'' and ''[[Vishnu Smriti]]'' emphasize that neglecting these rites is considered a sin that disrupts the spiritual journey of both ancestors and descendants.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rocher |first=Ludo |title=The Puranas |publisher=Otto Harrassowitz Verlag |year=1986 |pages=128–129}}</ref> | |||
== Regional variations == | |||
While the essence of the ritual is shared across Hindu communities, there are variations. In South India, pindas may be offered on banana leaves with additional food items. In Bengal, elaborate shraddha feasts accompany the offering. In Nepal, pindas are part of the annual ''Gokarna Aunsi'' rituals honoring ancestors.<ref>{{cite book |last=Parasher |first=Aloka |title=Society and Religion in Early India |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2013 |pages=192–195}}</ref> | |||
==Purananuru== | |||
The '''''Purananuru''''' is a classical [[Tamil literature|Tamil poetic]] work and traditionally the last of the [[Eight Anthologies]] (''Ettuthokai'') in the [[Sangam literature]].{{sfn|Kamil Zvelebil|1973|pp=54-55}} It is a collection of 400 heroic poems about kings, wars and public life. This book has mentions of this rice ball called Pindam and is one of the common death rituals followed by Hindus of South India.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Poem: Purananuru - Part 246 by George L. III Hart |url=https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/purananuru-part-246 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=www.poetrynook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Poem: Purananuru - Part 234 by George L. III Hart |url=https://www.poetrynook.com/poem/purananuru-part-234 |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=www.poetrynook.com}}</ref> | |||
== See also == | |||
* [[Shraddha (Hinduism)]] | |||
* [[Pitru Paksha]] | |||
* [[Ancestor worship]] | |||
* [[Gaya (disambiguation)|Gaya]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{Death in Hinduism}} | {{Death in Hinduism}} | ||
Latest revision as of 22:38, 1 February 2026
Pinda (Sanskrit: पिण्ड, piṇḍa) are balls of cooked rice mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds offered to ancestors during Hindu funeral rites (antyesti) and ancestor worship (Śrāddha).[1][2][3] According to the Garuda Purana, offering a pinda to a recently departed individual helps unite their soul with their ancestors.[4] The ritual act of donating pindas is called the pinda dana.[3][4]
| Part of a series on |
| Hinduism |
|---|
 |
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The word pinda in Sanskrit literally means "lump" or "ball". In ritual use, it refers specifically to food balls (often of rice, barley flour, and sesame seeds) that are sanctified and offered to the departed. References to pindas occur in the Dharmashastras and Puranic literature, where they are described as a means of sustaining the departed soul.[5]
Ritual significance[edit | edit source]
In Hindu tradition, pindas symbolize the physical body of the deceased and serve as a medium through which descendants express filial duty. By offering pindas, devotees are believed to provide nourishment to their forebears and assist their souls in attaining peace. The Garuda Purana prescribes the offering of pindas as part of funeral rites, noting that without such offerings, ancestors may remain restless.[6]
Timing and occasions[edit | edit source]
Pindas are most commonly offered during shraddha ceremonies, especially in the fortnight of Pitru Paksha, when Hindus perform rites for the welfare of their ancestors. They are also offered on death anniversaries, during tithi shraddha, and in certain festivals dedicated to forebears.[7]
Procedure[edit | edit source]
The pindas are typically made of cooked rice mixed with sesame seeds and barley flour, sometimes with ghee or honey. They are shaped into balls and sanctified with mantras. The offerings are placed on leaves or directly on the ground near water, such as a riverbank or ghat. The officiating priest guides the rituals, which may include tarpana (libations of water and sesame) alongside the pindas.[8]
Locations and practice[edit | edit source]
Certain pilgrimage sites are considered especially sacred for the offering of pindas. The town of Gaya in Bihar is renowned as the foremost place for pinda-daan, attracting pilgrims from across India. Other significant sites include Haridwar, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Varanasi, and Kushinagar. Each of these locations has ghats and temples where pindas are ritually offered.[9][10]
Philosophical background[edit | edit source]
The practice is rooted in the belief that the departed exist in a subtle state and depend upon offerings from their descendants. By performing pinda-daan, the living acknowledge a continuing bond with the dead and fulfill their dharma of filial responsibility. The Matsya Purana and Vishnu Smriti emphasize that neglecting these rites is considered a sin that disrupts the spiritual journey of both ancestors and descendants.[11]
Regional variations[edit | edit source]
While the essence of the ritual is shared across Hindu communities, there are variations. In South India, pindas may be offered on banana leaves with additional food items. In Bengal, elaborate shraddha feasts accompany the offering. In Nepal, pindas are part of the annual Gokarna Aunsi rituals honoring ancestors.[12]
Purananuru[edit | edit source]
The Purananuru is a classical Tamil poetic work and traditionally the last of the Eight Anthologies (Ettuthokai) in the Sangam literature.[13] It is a collection of 400 heroic poems about kings, wars and public life. This book has mentions of this rice ball called Pindam and is one of the common death rituals followed by Hindus of South India.[14][15]
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Clarendon Press. p. 626.
- ↑ Wilkins, W. J. (1913). Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic. Thacker, Spink & Co. pp. 345–347.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gold, Ann (2000). Fruitful Journeys: The Ways of Rajasthani Pilgrims. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press Inc. p. 82. ISBN 1577661338.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gold, Ann (2000). Fruitful Journeys: The Ways of Rajasthani Pilgrims. Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press Inc. p. 90. ISBN 1577661338.
- ↑ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary. Clarendon Press. p. 626.
- ↑ Wilkins, W. J. (1913). Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic. Thacker, Spink & Co. pp. 345–347.
- ↑ Kane, P. V. (1941). History of Dharmasastra. Vol. 4. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. pp. 161–165.
- ↑ Bhattacharyya, N. N. (1996). Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-Religious Study of the Hindu Rites. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 112–114.
- ↑ "Gaya – Sacred City of Salvation". Bihar Tourism. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ Fuller, C. J. (2004). The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India. Princeton University Press. pp. 223–225.
- ↑ Rocher, Ludo (1986). The Puranas. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. 128–129.
- ↑ Parasher, Aloka (2013). Society and Religion in Early India. Oxford University Press. pp. 192–195.
- ↑ Kamil Zvelebil 1973, pp. 54-55.
- ↑ "Poem: Purananuru - Part 246 by George L. III Hart". www.poetrynook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ↑ "Poem: Purananuru - Part 234 by George L. III Hart". www.poetrynook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
Hindu deities and texts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gods |  | |
| Goddesses | ||
| Other deities | ||
| Texts | ||
| Philosophy |
|  | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texts |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Deities |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Practices |
| ||||||||||||||||
| Related | |||||||||||||||||
_name_of_the_God_as_per_the_Vedas.svg){kind=link}