YATRA AND ITS PARAMARTHA

Secondly, performing sraddha to manes is a must Normally, sraddha must be performed at one's own house and offering it in the house of others is strictly prohibited; but as thirthas belong to nobody, they can be performed here with due rituals. They confer supplementary benefits due to sanctity pervading there. While performing sraddha, one is forbidden to offer arghya and making avahana. Further  nishiddhakala - improper time need not be taken into account - given any importance. Giving gifts comes next. People who could afford can offer dana several types of gift to the learned brahmins and priests like godana - gifting of cow, Swarnadana - gold Vastradana - dhoties, and sarees, Bhudana - land and Navadanya - grain etc. Needless to state, offering of prayers with several rituals to the deities is given priority over all the rest. It is clearly stated that yatri should scrupulously avoid receiving any gift from any one during the whole period of yatra. If he accepts, it tantamount  to selling all the merit accrued due to yatra. Sastras are vehement on this aspect but emphatic in saying that giving gifts at Kasi, Kurukshetra, Gaya and Amarakantaka are allowed and one shakes off his poverty. If he gives here, but accepting any at these places, one purchases poverty.

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