By performing Pind Daan here, ancestors become entitled to salvation, then they do not have to perform Pind Daan anywhere else

During Pitru Paksha, Sanatan Dharma followers from all over the country and abroad reach the Brahmakapal Tirtha in Badrinath Dham for Tarpan and Pinddaan. It is believed that after Pinddaan here, the ancestors become entitled to salvation. Then there is no need to perform Pinddaan anywhere.

Rajni Chander, 06 September 2025

There is a place in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, where by performing Tarpan and Pinddaan, the ancestors are freed from the bondage of life and death. Along with this, the family members also get freedom from Pitradosha. It is believed that Lord Shiva got freedom from the sin of Brahmahatya here. It is said in the Puranas that the significance of Gaya Tirtha in Bihar for Pitru Tarpan is also of Brahmakapal Tirtha located on the banks of Alaknanda river, 200 meters before the temple in Badrinath Dham. Maharishi Yajnavalkya writes in ‘Yagyavalkya Smriti’, ‘Ayu: Prajaan, Dhanam Vidyaam Swargam, Mokshan Sukhani Ch. Praychchanti and Rajyaam Pitr: Shraddha Tarpita.’ (The ancestors, being satisfied with Shraddha, provide life, worship, wealth, knowledge, heaven, salvation, kingdom and all other happiness.)

People from all over the country and the world come to Brahmakapal for tarpan

In Sanatani tradition, Pitru Paksha is celebrated every year from Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima to Ashwin Krishna Amavasya. During this period, thousands of people come to Brahmakapal pilgrimage for offering tarpan and pind daan to their ancestors. The story of Brahmakapal Tirtha is related to Lord Shiva and Brahma. It is believed that when Lord Shiva cut off the fifth head of Lord Brahma who was under the influence of ego, it got stuck to the trident. This made Maa Parvati worried that now God will be guilty of Brahma Hatya. She told the Lord to go to Gaya Tirtha and do Pind Daan. This will free you from the sin of Brahma Hatya. Lord Shiva did the same, but he did not get rid of this sin. After this, he also did Pind Daan in Kashi and Haridwar, but did not get freedom from Brahma Hatya.

Here he got freedom from the sin of Brahma Hatya

When Maa Parvati told this to Naradji, he asked the Lord to go to Badrinath Dham and do Pind Daan. Lord Shiva did the same and he reached Badrinath Dham with Maa Parvati. Here he did Pind Daan on the banks of Alaknanda River. After this, Brahma’s side head stuck to the trident fell on the ground and got established in the form of a rock. According to the priest of the pilgrimage, Pandit Mohit Sati, after the success of the Puja, Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati said that whoever comes here and performs tarpan and pinddaan for the ancestors, he will not need to perform pinddaan anywhere else. Pinddaan is done at Brahmakapal Tirtha with the rice offered to Lord Badri Narayan. Pindas are prepared from cooked rice.

Pinddaan at Brahmakapal Tirtha is the best

It is said in the Kedarkhand of Skanda Purana that Gaya (Bihar), Pushkar (Rajasthan), Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Prayagraj and Kashi (Uttar Pradesh) are also suitable for pinddaan, but the pinddaan done at Brahmakapal Tirtha located at Bhu-Vaikunth Badrinath Dham is the best of all. It is mentioned in Shrimad Bhagwat Mahapuran that the Pandavas committed the sin of Gotra Hatya after killing their relatives in the war of Mahabharat. To get rid of this, while going on Swargarohini Yatra, they performed Tarpan to their ancestors at Brahmakapal Tirtha. Only after this, they were freed from the sin of Gotra Hatya.