Ahead of the Chaitra shraadh paksh that falls between March and April, online bookings for shraadh and tarpan rituals at the renowned Matrugaya Teerth in Sidhpur start on Feb 1.

The Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board (GPYVB), which manages Matrugaya Tirth, announced that devotees across the nation who desire to perform shraadh vidhi at Matrugaya will be able to book the process online.

The devotees will be able to book shraadh vidhi especially during the vishwapanchak parv from Kartak Sud ekadashi to Punam, when lakhs of devotees perform religious practices for the salvation of their ancestors, including bathing in the holy Bindu Sarovar, donating, and offering pinds at Siddhpur.

The board has prepared the ‘Online Queue Management System’ portal for the registrations.

Those who wish to register can do it through the website or through an Android application - Yatradham of Gujarat (YOG), or by physically visiting the office.

The portal allows the appointment for the date, time, and location of the ritual at Bindu Sarovar. Registration fees can also be paid digitally.

The portal also offers facilities for special hall registration, family registration, local citizens’ darshan facility, and shraddh ritual performances for local citizens.

Bindu Sarovar is under a redevelopment plan by the GPYVB with an estimated cost of ₹70 cr.

To enhance the pilgrimage for the next 25 years, a plan of ₹33 cr is underway to upgrade facilities.

Why is it important?

Sidhpur’s Matrugaya is a significant place for devotees who want to perform matru shradh (the shraadh ritual for mother). It is believed that Lord Vishnu’s incarnation, Kapil Muni’s mother Devhuti, attained salvation here.

Shraadh is a significant Hindu ritual of offering pind (offerings of ball of cooked rice mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds offered to ancestors) for Hindus, performed during particular months to honour the ancestors and departed souls in their family.

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