From Russia and Ukraine to Germany, Italy and Africa, overseas pilgrims bow to an ancient Sanatan tradition on the sacred banks of the Falgu

 

Gaya: Thousands of kilometres away from their homelands, with prayers for their departed loved ones in their hearts, foreign devotees gathered on the sacred banks of the Falgu River in Gaya on Friday to perform the ancient rituals of Pind Daan and Tarpan—turning the Pitru Paksha Mela Mahasangam-2026 into a remarkable confluence of faith that transcended nations, languages and cultures.

The scenes at Devghat and the Vishnupad area were particularly striking. Foreign men and women sat beside Indian pilgrims, offered prayers and performed rituals for deceased parents, relatives, friends and loved ones under the guidance of priests.

Several foreign women, dressed in traditional Indian sarees, were seen performing Pind Daan according to prescribed rituals. Their devotion and willingness to embrace the traditions associated with Gaya’s ancestral rites drew the attention of pilgrims gathered at the ghats.

For a few moments, differences of language, nationality and culture seemed to disappear on the banks of the Falgu—the common bond was remembrance of those who had passed away.

From Europe to Africa, devotees reach Gaya for their ancestors

Foreign participation has added a distinct international dimension to this year’s Pitru Paksha Mela.

Local reports said 22 foreign pilgrims from Russia, Ukraine and Germany performed Tarpan and Pind Daan at Devghat on Friday. The group reportedly plans to remain in Gaya for around three days to perform rituals at various sacred Pind-vedis.

Not just Indians, foreigners too perform pind daan in Gaya ji in Bihar

Seen here are Germans performing the rituals in the occasion of Pitru Paksha. pic.twitter.com/0XLVT3v457

— With Love Bihar (@WithLoveBihar) October 2, 2026

Their ceremonies are being conducted under the guidance of Pandit Loknath Gaur of Varanasi, who has also guided overseas devotees visiting Gaya for ancestral rituals in the past.

Another report referred to a separate group of 48 foreign pilgrims, including visitors from Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Portugal, who performed Pind Daan and Tarpan along the Falgu River in the Vishnupad area.

Other accounts of overseas participation during the mela have also mentioned devotees from countries including Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Latvia and Ghana in West Africa.

Since reports differ on the numbers and countries represented, the figures appear to relate to different groups or separate sets of pilgrims, rather than one consolidated count.

Saree-clad foreign women offer Pind Daan

Among the most captivating scenes from Devghat were foreign women dressed in sarees, sitting before priests and carefully following the rituals associated with Pind Daan.

From elderly women to younger devotees, the visitors participated in the rites with reverence. Some were also reported to be preparing to follow stricter ritual practices, including fasting, during their stay in Gaya.

Several visitors reportedly came after learning about the religious significance of performing Pind Daan in Gaya and hearing about the experiences of foreign devotees who had undertaken the pilgrimage earlier.

For them, Gaya was not merely another destination on an India itinerary—it was a journey undertaken in memory of those no longer with them.

Why Gaya holds a special place for Pind Daan

Gaya has for centuries occupied a revered position in Hindu traditions surrounding Shraddha, Tarpan and Pind Daan.

According to Bihar Tourism, Pitru Paksha is traditionally observed as a 16-day period during which Hindus remember their ancestors and make ritual offerings for them.

The Falgu River, Vishnupad Temple and numerous sacred Pind-vedis across Gaya are closely associated with these ancestral rites.

Hindu tradition also links Gaya with Lord Rama, who is believed to have performed Pind Daan for his father, King Dasharatha. The Vishnupad Temple, situated near the Falgu River, is associated with the sacred footprint of Lord Vishnu and remains one of the principal centres of worship during Pitru Paksha.

It is this spiritual significance that draws huge numbers of pilgrims to Gaya every year—and increasingly, devotees from overseas as well.

Pilgrim tide crosses 21 lakh

The foreign devotees form only a small but eye-catching part of the enormous sea of pilgrims currently converging on Gaya.

Reports citing Gaya district administration data said 20,71,200 pilgrims—more than 20.71 lakh—had reached the city by October 1.

October 1 alone reportedly witnessed the arrival of around 4.10 lakh pilgrims, illustrating the extraordinary scale of the gathering.

By October 2, reports indicated that the cumulative number of pilgrims attending the Pitru Paksha Mela had crossed the 21-lakh mark, with devotees continuing to pour into the holy city from across India and abroad.

The 2026 Pitru Paksha Mela is scheduled from September 25 to October 10, during which pilgrims perform ancestral rites at different sacred sites across Gaya.

Ancient rituals meet AI technology

Amid the centuries-old chants, sacred offerings and rituals, modern technology is also finding a place at this year’s gathering.

An AI-based language translation facility is being used to help pilgrims overcome communication barriers—an initiative particularly useful for overseas visitors and pilgrims speaking different Indian languages.

According to reported administration figures, the translation facility had already been used to assist 14,555 pilgrims, helping them understand religious and administrative information during the mela.

The use of artificial intelligence alongside an ancient religious tradition presents a striking contrast: technology developed in the 21st century helping devotees navigate rituals whose roots stretch deep into India’s spiritual history.

Where borders fade and faith speaks one language

What unfolded at Devghat on Friday was more than the arrival of a few groups of overseas visitors.

Russian, Ukrainian, German and other European devotees sitting beside Indian pilgrims, women in sarees offering Pind Daan, Sanskrit mantras echoing across the ghats and prayers being offered for departed loved ones created a powerful picture of faith crossing geographical and cultural boundaries.

The visitors may speak different languages and come from societies thousands of kilometres apart, but on the banks of the Falgu, their prayers carried a common emotion—remembrance, gratitude and peace for those who came before them.

As more than 21 lakh pilgrims converge on Gaya for Pitru Paksha Mela 2026, the participation of overseas devotees is giving the ancient pilgrimage an increasingly international character.

And amid the chants and offerings along the Falgu, Gaya is sending out a simple but powerful message: when it comes to remembering one’s ancestors, faith knows no borders.