Shraddha: A Hindu Ceremony To Help Souls Enter The Next World After Death

Prepared “Pindas” for the Shraddha
(credit:espiritokashi.wordpress.com)

For Hindus, Shraddha is a ceremony that must happen in order to ensure that the souls of their loved ones who have died will enter the next world safely and soundly. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word that means “anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith.” What exactly is Shraddha though? Much like the Czechs, food and superstitions play crucial roles in this ceremony.

The feasts can range from intricate gatherings filled with lots of food to ones that serve only rice, vegetables and traditional chapati bread.

During Shraddha ceremonies, feasts and gift-giving gatherings occur. These events stem from the Hindu belief that whatever is given away by surviving loved ones will eventually find its way in the hands and stomachs of those who have died. The most common gifts tend to be metal vessels and cash. Shraddhas can last anywhere from a single day to several weeks. The feasts can range from intricate gatherings filled with lots of food to ones that serve only rice, vegetables and traditional chapati bread.

Hindu men preparing the pindas for the spirits
(credit: Wikipedia)

In order for the Shraddha to be successful, food acts as the key to settling the uneasiness of the fellow spirits of other dead relatives there to help guide the new spirit, so everyone can rest peacefully. These elder spirits are known as “manes.” Since these spirits have left their physical bodies due to the customary cremation that Hindus practice for those who have died, it does not take much food to satisfy them. Having not occupied bodies for a while, their hunger and uneasiness settles down with boiled rice balls that are called “pindas.” These pindas then get thrown out after every meal. In addition to the human ancestors, Hindus still consider cows as ancestors and it is still quite common and popular for cows to receive food and pinda offerings too.

By setting aside time to aid the new spirits on their journeys to the next world, the surviving loved ones are expressing gratitude for all that these spirits and the spirits of their other ancestors did to help them become the successes they are.

Shraddha happens most often for the spirits of one’s parents. By setting aside time to aid the new spirits on their journeys to the next world, the surviving loved ones are expressing gratitude for all that these spirits and the spirits of their other ancestors did to help them become the successes they are. They also use this ceremony to pray for the peace of these spirits. In a sense, the ritual of Shraddha is a Hindu way of a day of remembrance that might last longer than just one day.

Learn more about different cultural traditions here.