Where and how pind daan, shraddh and tarpan are done in Haridwar—Narayani Shila, Kushavarta Ghat and Har Ki Pauri—and what to bring.
Haridwar is one of the most important places in India for pitru karma, the rites performed for ancestors. Many families plan pind daan, shraddh or tarpan during a Kumbh visit, combining it with their holy dip.
Rituals and auspicious timing vary by tradition. Consult your family purohit.
What these rites mean
- Pind daan: offering rice or flour balls (pinda) to ancestors, to nourish and satisfy their souls.
- Shraddh: rites performed with devotion (shraddha) for the departed, often on specific tithis.
- Tarpan: offering water mixed with sesame and other items to ancestors.
- Narayan Bali and other special rites may be advised in particular circumstances, such as an untimely death.
Where in Haridwar
Narayani Shila
The Narayani Shila temple is closely associated with ancestral rites. Tradition holds that a part of Lord Narayan's form rests here. Many families perform pind daan and rites for pitru dosh at this temple.
Kushavarta Ghat
Near Har Ki Pauri, Kushavarta Ghat is traditionally associated with shraddh and pind daan, and is said to be where the sage Dattatreya performed penance.
Har Ki Pauri
Many rites, including asthi visarjan, are performed at Har Ki Pauri. See our asthi visarjan guide.
What to bring
- Names of the ancestors (as many generations as you know), gotra and native place
- White or light-coloured traditional clothes
- Cash for dakshina and daan; priests usually arrange the puja materials
When to go
- Pitru Paksha (September–October) is the traditional period for shraddh, but rites can be done at other times as advised.
- During the Kumbh, avoid Amrit Snan days and choose a quieter morning.
- Allow 2–3 hours for pind daan, including the snan.
Choosing a priest
- Your family may already have a Haridwar teerth purohit who keeps your genealogy register.
- Agree on the rites and dakshina beforehand.
- Avoid touts at the station and ghats.
Combine with your Kumbh trip
We can arrange a stay near the ghats, transfers and a trusted purohit for pind daan or shraddh. Ask us to add it to any Haridwar Kumbh package.
By KMII Travel Desk · Updated 23 Sep 2026
