Haridwar's pandas keep family registers going back generations. How the system works and how to find your ancestors' records on a Kumbh visit.
One of Haridwar's most remarkable traditions is little known outside India. Its pandas, hereditary pilgrim priests, maintain handwritten family registers (bahi or vanshavali) going back many generations. When your ancestors visited Haridwar for a snan, an asthi visarjan or a family ritual, their visit was often recorded in their panda's register.
How the system works
- Pandas' families traditionally serve pilgrims from particular districts, regions or communities.
- Registers are organised by native place, then by family, clan or gotra.
- Entries can include names of family members, the purpose of the visit, dates, and signatures or thumbprints of the visitors.
- The registers pass from one generation of pandas to the next.
People have traced their family tree back several generations this way, including families who migrated abroad.
How to find your family's records
- Ask your elders whether the family has a known Haridwar panda, and what your ancestral village, tehsil and district are.
- Know your details: surname, gotra, caste or community (as used in old records), and names of grandparents and great-grandparents.
- At Haridwar, pandas' offices and enquiry points around Har Ki Pauri can direct you to the family that keeps registers for your district.
- Be patient. Finding the right register can take time, especially in the busy Kumbh weeks.
- Add your own entry. Most families record the current visit, which adds a new generation to the record.
Things to keep in mind
- Offering dakshina to the panda for their service is customary. Agree on it beforehand if you are unsure.
- Registers are private family records kept by the panda. Ask before photographing pages.
- Be cautious of touts claiming to "find records instantly" for a fee.
Combine it with your Kumbh visit
Searching the registers fits well with asthi visarjan, pind daan or simply your Kumbh snan. Choose a non-Amrit Snan day so the ghat area is easier to move around.
Our coordinators can help you find your way around Har Ki Pauri. Ask about adding it to a Haridwar Kumbh package.
By KMII Travel Desk · Updated 22 Sep 2026
