Bhubaneswar, Sept. 8 -- https://images.odishatv.in/uploadimage/library/16_9/16_9_0/recent_photo_1757304755.webp
Pitru Paksha, the fortnight dedicated to ancestors, began on Monday and will continue for the next 15 days until Mahalaya. During this period, devotees honour their forefathers through rituals such as offering sesame water (Til Tarpan) and rice balls (Pinda Daan).
At Srikshetra, large gatherings were seen at sacred ponds including Mahodadhi, Shwetaganga, Markanda, Indradyumna and Narendra, where rituals were performed with devotion. In Bhubaneswar too, crowds thronged Bindu Sagar to carry out Pinda Daan ceremonies.
According to belief, ancestors descend during this fortnight to bestow their blessings. On Diwali, they are farewe...