Varanasi Hosts Unique Shradh Rituals for Unborn and Unclaimed
In a unique tradition, Varanasi hosts Shradh and Pind Daan rituals for unborn daughters and unclaimed individuals to provide religious dignity.
In the sacred city of Varanasi, a profound and unconventional tradition is unfolding as rituals are performed to honor those who never had a chance to live or those who died without a single soul to claim them. On the occasion of Matri Navami this year, the holy banks of the Ganga will witness Shradh and Pind Daan ceremonies dedicated to approximately 9,800 unborn daughters and 52 unclaimed individuals.
A Spiritual Stand Against Female Foeticide
The social organization Aagman has taken the lead in performing Tarpan for the unborn daughters at the Ganga Ghat. This initiative serves a dual purpose: providing religious dignity to female fetuses and raising vital awareness against the social evil of female foeticide.
Dr. Santosh Ojha, the President of Aagman, shared that this selfless mission has been his life's work for the past 12 years. The scale of this service is immense; Dr. Ojha noted that, to date, Tarpan has been conducted for approximately 163,700 female fetuses.
The ritualistic process is steeped in Vedic tradition:
- The Offerings: Pind Daan involves the careful preparation of offerings made from barley flour, sesame seeds, and honey.
- The Clergy: A dedicated team of 11 priests will lead the ceremonies.
- The Support: 22 members from the organization will assist in ensuring the rituals are conducted with utmost sanctity.
Honoring the Unclaimed and Unidentified
While one group of rituals focuses on those yet to be born, another focuses on those who have passed away in solitude. The Aman Kabir Seva Trust is responsible for conducting the Shradh rites for unclaimed individuals who died due to illness or other circumstances without any identifiable relatives.
This year, the trust has facilitated the final rites for 52 unclaimed bodies. Among these, 29 individuals remain completely unidentified, adding a layer of solemnity to the proceedings. Aman Kabir, a social worker with the trust, has dedicated many years to serving the poor and the destitute who die alone.
The impactful work of the Aman Kabir Seva Trust has not gone unnoticed by the state government. Aman Kabir has previously received recognition for his social contributions from the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath.