Pinda Pradanam is a Hindu funeral ritual that involves offering rice balls or pindas to ancestors in order to seek their blessings and ensure their smooth transition to the afterlife. The word “pinda” refers to the rice balls that are prepared by mixing rice, ghee, sesame seeds, and other ingredients, and is believed to be a source of nourishment for the departed souls. The ritual is performed by the eldest son or male member of the family, who offers the pindas while chanting mantras and prayers for the well-being of the deceased.

This ritual is considered to be crucial in Hindu funeral customs, as it is believed to help ease the journey of the departed souls to the afterlife and ensure their peace and well-being in the next world. The act of offering pindas is seen as a form of respect and homage to the ancestors, and is thought to strengthen the bond between the living and the dead. The ritual is usually performed on specific days such as amavasya or new moon days, as well as during the annual death anniversary of the deceased. Overall, Pinda Pradanam is a sacred and significant ritual in Hindu culture that serves to honor and remember the departed souls and seek their blessings for the well-being of the living.