Patna: With thousands of devotees expected to visit Gaya from across India and abroad during Pitru Paksha Mela 2026, the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDCL) has launched five Pind Daan tourism packages and an online e-Pind Daan facility.Available from Sept 25 to Oct 10, the packages combine ‘pind daan’ rituals with transport, accommodation, vegetarian meals, priest services and puja materials. They cover destinations including Gaya, Punpun, Rajgir and Nalanda.According to the tourism department, PackageA is a one-day Patna-Punpun-Gaya circuit. It includes ‘pind daan’ at Punpun Ghat and rituals at the Falgu River, Vishnupad Temple and Akshay Vat. Prices range from Rs 14,550 to Rs 30,650.PackageB is a one-night, two-day itinerary covering Patna, Punpun, Gaya, Nalanda and Rajgir. Besides ‘pind daan’ arrangements, devotees can visit the World Peace Stupa and Nalanda ruins. The package costs between Rs 18,850 and Rs 40,700.For devotees travelling directly to Gaya, PackageC offers a one-day programme with rituals at the Falgu River, Vishnupad Temple and Akshay Vat. Pickup and drop facilities are available from Gaya airport and railway station. Prices range from Rs 11,250 to Rs 25,250.PackageD, a one-night, two-day Gaya package, is designed for devotees wishing to perform rituals during late-night, early-morning or evening hours. The package is priced between Rs 16,000 and Rs 39,500.PackageE combines Pind Daan in Gaya with a two-day sightseeing tour of Rajgir and Nalanda. Prices range from Rs 16,550 to Rs 32,850. Entry fees to monuments and tourist attractions are not included in Packages B and E.For devotees unable to travel to Gaya, BSTDCL has introduced an online e-pind daan package priced at Rs 23,000, inclusive of GST. The package covers rituals at Vishnupad Temple, Akshay Vat and Falgu River, along with priest services, puja materials and dakshina.
