Teerth Shradh In Ayodhya

About this puja

Teerth Shradh at Sautha Laxmi Temple, Ayodhya, to honour ancestors.

Shradh is a ritual of respect for the ancestors. Tradition holds that it helps departed souls find peace and move on. Food, water and favourite items are offered, mainly to satisfy the unfulfilled wishes of the ancestors. The ritual is observed after a holy-river bath, in white clothes. A sankalp is taken in the devotees' names. Water is then offered to the ancestors, mixed with black sesame, together with kusha grass and white flowers. Finally, food is shared with a crow, a cow, ants and dogs, which completes the puja. It is held at Sautha Laxmi Temple in Ayodhya.

Why devotees perform it

Devotees seek the blessings of their forefathers through this puja. Shradh is performed so that departed souls may find peace. It is believed to help fulfil the unmet wishes of the departed. It is said to lessen Pitru dosh and ease obstacles in the devotee's path.

Samagri

• Sweets (मिठाइयाँ)
• Milk (दूध)
• Honey (शहद)
• Ghee (घी)
• White flowers (सफेद फूल)
• Ganga jal (गंगा जल)
• Kusha grass (कुशा घास)
• Akshat (अक्षत)
• Black sesame (काला तिल)