Skip to content
PujaKarma

Popular searches

    Chowk · Varanasi

    Shraddha in Chowk

    The rite of remembering and honouring departed parents and ancestors with offerings, prayers and food, performed with faith (shraddha) on their tithi or in Pitru Paksha. Book an experienced Pandit for your home or venue in Chowk, Varanasi.

    Chowk, Varanasi 2 to 3 hours At your home or venue Online also available
    Devotees performing a ritual on the steps of a ghat

    Overview

    Shraddha for families in Chowk

    Shraddha takes its name from the word for faith and sincere devotion. It is the rite through which families remember departed parents, grandparents and ancestors, offering pindas, water, sesame and food with prayers for their peace. Many families observe Shraddha every year on the tithi of a loved one’s passing and during Pitru Paksha.

    Chowk is the old commercial heart of Varanasi, a dense network of lanes filled with wholesale markets, silk and sari shops, sweet shops and tall old houses. It lies in the old city between Godowlia and Maidagin, with the lanes towards Kashi Vishwanath close by.

    ॐ पितृभ्यः स्वधायिभ्यः स्वधा नमः॥

    Oṁ pitṛbhyaḥ svadhāyibhyaḥ svadhā namaḥ.

    Salutations and offerings to the ancestors, who receive the offering of svadha.Shukla Yajurveda 19.36

    Planning your puja in Chowk

    Vehicles cannot reach most lanes, so expect to walk and carry samagri by hand.
    Shop pujas are usually done early, before the market opens and crowds build.
    Diwali and Dhanteras are very busy for business pujas, so book ahead.
    Share a clear landmark such as a well-known shop, as lanes can be confusing.
    Rooftops in old houses are often the best place for a havan.
    Know the tithi of the ancestor's passing, or ask the Pandit to help identify it.
    Bring names and gotra of the ancestors being honoured.

    Shraddha traditions in Varanasi

    • Pitru Paksha is the peak period, when ghats are busy from early morning.
    • Shraddha is usually performed before midday; morning start times are common.
    • Many families include Brahmin bhojan or daan; discuss arrangements in advance.
    • Customs vary by region and community, so share your family's tradition with the Pandit.
    Full guide: Shraddha in Varanasi

    How it is performed

    1. 1Tithi and Preparation
    2. 2Purification and Sankalp
    3. 3Invocation of the Pitrus
    4. 4Pinda Offering
    5. 5Tarpan
    6. 6Food Offering and Daan
    7. 7Concluding Prayers

    What's included

    • Experienced Pandit familiar with ancestral rites
    • Sankalp with the names and gotra of the departed and the family
    • Guidance before the day on tithi, preparation and customs
    • Vidhi as per the family’s tradition
    • Guidance on where Shraddha is traditionally performed in Varanasi
    • Samagri can be arranged on request

    Samagri

    • Rice or barley flour
    • Black sesame seeds (til)
    • Kusha grass
    • Ghee and honey
    • Ganga jal
    • Milk and curd
    • White flowers and tulsi leaves
    • Janeu (for the performer, as per custom)
    • Leaf plates (pattal)
    • Chandan and akshat
    • Diya and incense
    • Satvik food prepared as per custom (often kheer and puri)

    Samagri can be arranged on request for delivery in Chowk.

    Shraddha in Chowk: FAQs

    Can a Pandit come to my home in Chowk for Shraddha?

    Yes. Share your location in Chowk, your preferred date and your family's tradition on WhatsApp. We confirm a Pandit who can come to your home, apartment or venue in and around Chowk, Varanasi, along with timing and pricing before you book.

    How far in advance should I book Shraddha in Chowk?

    For popular muhurat dates and festival seasons, it helps to enquire a week or two ahead where possible. For other dates, shorter notice is often manageable, we confirm availability on WhatsApp.

    How much does Shraddha cost in Varanasi?

    The cost depends on the vidhi, the number of Pandits, samagri and travel within Varanasi. We share a clear quote on WhatsApp after understanding your requirements, before you confirm anything.

    What is the difference between Shraddha and Pind Daan?

    Shraddha is the broader ritual of honouring ancestors, which often includes pind daan, tarpan and Brahmin bhojan. Pind daan refers specifically to the offering of pinds.

    How do we know the correct tithi for Shraddha?

    Share the date and, if possible, the time and place of passing. The Pandit will work out the corresponding tithi in the Hindu calendar for the year.

    How much does Shraddha cost?

    It depends on the vidhi, number of Pandits, samagri, food daan and location. Share your details on WhatsApp for a quote.

    Shraddha in nearby areas of Varanasi

    Other pujas in Chowk

    See all
    • A devotee performing Diwali Lakshmi puja at a home altar
      Deity PujasIn-person availableOnline available

      Lakshmi Puja

      1.5 to 2.5 hours

      Worship of Goddess Lakshmi, associated with prosperity and auspiciousness, most widely performed on Diwali evening and on Fridays.

      Details
    • Goddess Lakshmi adorned with flowers for puja
      Home PujasIn-person availableOnline available

      A traditional puja to inaugurate a new shop, office, showroom or factory, Ganesh and Lakshmi worship, Kalash sthapana and havan at an auspicious muhurat.

      Details
    • Idol of Lord Ganesha in an ornate shrine
      Deity PujasIn-person availableOnline available

      Ganesh Puja

      1 to 2 hours

      Worship of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, traditionally offered before new beginnings and at the start of every major ritual.

      Details
    • Satyanarayan Puja arrangement with lamps, kalash and offerings
      Deity PujasIn-person availableOnline available

      Satyanarayan Puja

      2 to 3 hours

      A beloved household puja to Lord Vishnu as Satyanarayan, with the five-chapter Satyanarayan Katha, commonly held on Purnima or after a happy milestone.

      Details
    Priests preparing for the Ganga Aarti at dusk in Varanasi

    शुभं भवतु

    No payment to begin

    Book Shraddha in Chowk

    Share your address in Chowk, preferred date and family tradition. We'll confirm a Pandit and pricing on WhatsApp.