Stories
Pitru Paksha Begins: Why Narayani Shila in Haridwar is Sacred for Ancestral Rites
- •Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period of reverence for ancestors, has begun today and concludes on October 10 on Sarvapitri Amavasya.
- •Haridwar is a sacred city for ancestral rites, with Narayani Shila considered a gateway to liberation for ancestors.
- •Narayani Shila Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is famous for Pind Daan, Tarpana, and Shraddha rituals, especially during Pitru Paksha.
- •According to the Skanda Purana, Narayani Shila is the heart of Lord Vishnu's divine form, and prayers here grant salvation to ancestors.
- •The mythological story from Vayu Purana and Skanda Purana describes how Lord Vishnu's Kamalasana broke into three parts, with one part forming Narayani Shila in Haridwar, another in Brahmakapal, Badrinath, and the third in Gaya Ji.
Key Questions Answered
In 2026, Pitru Paksha begins on September 27 and concludes on October 10 on Sarvapitri Amavasya. This 16-day period of Shraddha will actually be performed over 15 days because the Tithis for Chaturthi and Panchami fall on the same day on September 30.
Narayani Shila Temple is a revered ancient pilgrimage site on the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar dedicated to Lord Vishnu, considered the supreme place for ancestral rites after Gaya Ji. Thousands of devotees visit during Pitru Paksha to perform Pind Daan, Tarpana, and Shraddha rituals to grant salvation to their ancestors.
According to the Vayu Purana and Skanda Purana, the demon Gayasura tried to carry away Lord Vishnu's Kamalasana, which broke into three parts during a battle. One of these parts fell in Haridwar and became the Narayani Shila Temple, while the others fell in Brahmakapal and Gaya Ji.
