📜 Significance:
Dashkriya Vidhi is a series of ten sacred rituals performed after a person’s death to liberate the soul (aatma) and assist its journey from the mortal world to Pitru Loka (ancestral realm). This Vidhi is deeply significant in Maharashtrian Brahmin and other Hindu families, acting as both spiritual duty and an emotional closure.
The Dashkriya symbolizes the gradual detachment of the soul from earthly ties, and helps transform the Preta Atma into a Pitru—an ancestor who blesses future generations.
🗓️ When It’s Performed:
- Starts from the 1st day after death and continues till the 13th day
- Major days: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 13th day (Trayodashi Shraddha)
- Optional rituals like the 11th and 12th days may be included depending on tradition
- Godavari river banks in Nashik or Trimbakeshwar are popular Dashkriya tirtha kshetras
🛐 Who Can Perform:
- Karta (doer) – Usually the eldest son or closest male heir
- With guidance from a qualified Vedic Panditji familiar with Dashkriya paddhati
- In the absence of a son, other family members can be appointed under ritual guidance
📦 Puja Samagri (Items Required):
- Kush grass, darbha, black sesame seeds, barley flour
- Pindas (rice balls), ghee, cow dung, firewood (if homa is done)
- Ganga jal or water from holy river
- Sacred thread (Yajnopavita), til oil, flowers, camphor
- Copper kalash, mango leaves, coins, diya
- Clean white cloth for offerings, betel leaves, dakshina items for Brahmins
- Optional: cow donation (Godaan), daan items like vastra, utensils
🕯️ Main Rituals:
- Pind Daan (daily) – Offering rice balls with mantras to nourish the soul
- Tarpan – Water with sesame and mantras offered to satisfy the soul
- Ekodishta Shraddha (10th day) – Key ritual to convert preta into Pitru
- Dasha Vidhi Homa – Fire ritual with mantras and oblations
- Brahmana Bhojan & Daan – Feeding Brahmins and giving charity for punya
- Asthi Visarjan (if not done earlier) in holy water
- Vaikunth Samaradhana (13th day) – Final farewell and spiritual elevation of the soul
⏳ Duration:
- Each day’s kriya takes approx. 2 to 4 hours
- The full Dashkriya process extends over 10–13 days
🎁 Spiritual Benefits:
- Assists the soul’s smooth journey into ancestral realm
- Grants peace (shanti) and salvation (moksha) to the departed
- Removes Preta dosha and karmic blockages in the family
- Brings ancestral blessings for future generations
- Maintains dharmic obligation and family lineage purity
