Legends, Context and Sacred Geography of “Shraddha” in Puri

Jagannath Puri is a place of immense cultural, historical, architectural, philosophical, and spiritual significance, being the abode of Lord Jagannath, revered as the living God in Martyapuri. Devotees from across the world aspire to visit Puri at least once in their lifetime, and during such visits, many undertake various rituals at the sacred sites of the city. Among these, Shraddha or Pinda Daan holds a place of particular importance, performed for the liberation (Mukti/Mokhya) of departed souls and to seek the blessings of ancestors for the wellbeing of the family.
Aims: The study aims to explore the significance, practice, and belief systems associated with the performance of Shraddha or Pinda Daan at the sacred sites of Jagannath Puri, and to understand its role in the socio-religious life of devotees and pilgrims.
Method: The study adopted observation, interview, and case study methods to gather data. Primary information was collected through interactions with Brahmin priests and devotees from across the world who visited Puri specifically to perform the Shraddha ritual, while secondary information was gathered from ancient scriptures and texts referred to by the practitioners themselves.
Result: The findings reveal that Swargadwara and the Panchatirtha (the five sacred sites of Puri) hold deep significance in relation to Preta Karma and Pitru Karma. The ritual system is closely tied not only to the journey of the departed soul toward Mukti or Mokhya, but also serves as an expression of love, respect, and gratitude toward ancestors for their contribution to the lives of their descendants. The performance of Shraddha was also found to provide a sense of inner peace and emotional fulfilment to those who observe it.