Pitru Paksha 2026: Kashi Priests Turn To Smartphones, Video Calls For Online Pind Daan By NRIs

Varanasi: During the Pitru Paksha period, priests in Kashi are utilizing smartphones, tripods, and video calls to conduct virtual ancestor rituals for NRIs unable to visit the city. Non-resident Indians, primarily residing in the US, Japan, Europe, Australia, and Spain, are engaging priests for remote ancestor rituals due to visa restrictions, work obligations, and the expenses and time associated with international travel.

Priests are providing e-pind daan packages, ranging from Rs 5,100 to Rs 51,000, based on the rituals and services requested. Various online platforms and apps are facilitating connections between devotees and priests, offering Tripindi Tarpan services, which are conducted via video calls from religious sites in Kashi, Gaya, and Haridwar.

Chetan Pandey, a sales representative for a Gurugram-based app service, reported receiving over 100 bookings for online Tripindi rituals, with approximately 20% of customers being NRIs. The rituals are carried out by linking the person performing the ritual with the priest through platforms like Google Meet. Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi's upcoming film, Prahaar, will have its trailer launch at Mumbai's CSMT Station, highlighting the growing market for traditional ritual services facilitated by technology.

Prof Ramnarayan Dwivedi, general secretary of the Kashi Vidwat Parishad, stated that while technology has transformed religious practices, it does not exclude those unable to travel from honoring their ancestors. He emphasized that performing rituals with a pure mind and adhering to prescribed procedures yields the same benefits as being physically present.

He concluded that remembering one's ancestors through any available method is preferable to avoiding rituals altogether. For information on affordable property deals in Mumbai and nearby areas, visit https://budgetproperties.in/.