Hiranya Shraddham is a significant Hindu ritual performed to honor deceased ancestors and seek their blessings, typically during the Pitru Paksha (a specific time dedicated to ancestors). The term Hiranya means "gold," and Shraddham refers to the ritual of offering food and prayers for the deceased. In this ritual, the offerings are enhanced with symbolic items like gold or a golden representation of a deity, signifying the honoring of the ancestors with utmost respect and devotion.
During Hiranya Shraddham, sacred items such as rice, ghee, and sesame seeds are offered along with prayers and mantras. The priest or family members perform the ceremony, invoking blessings for the deceased ancestors' souls, seeking their peace, and requesting divine protection and prosperity for the family. This ritual is believed to help release the souls of ancestors from any lingering debts or burdens and ensure their well-being in the afterlife, thus bringing blessings to the living descendants.
