Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi

Pishach Mochan Kund is a time-tested place for people from all walks of life who come to perform various poojas for the trapped souls of their ancestors, seeking their final release and peace. The term Pishach Mochan Kund literally means the place where trapped souls are released from troubled spirit states. The original name of the place is Vimlodak Kund.

This Kund is located in the Chetganj area of Varanasi (Kashi). The locality is called Ramakanth Nagar. It is connected to the campus of Kaparadishwar Mahadev. People take a dip in the Kund and worship Kaparadishwar Mahadev along with performing various poojas such as Pind Daan, Tripindi Shradh, Narayan Bali Shradh, etc.

The legends around Pishach Mochan Kund:

One such famous legend revolves around a Brahmin who received many donations but never helped the needy. He got stuck in Pret Yoni, endured many centuries of suffering, and wandered the world in search of release. He encountered Sage Valmiki in Kashi, who advised him to take a bath in Vimlodak Kund, the original name of the Kund, and to have darshan of Kaparadishwar Mahadev. The holy water of the Kund receded, preventing him from taking a bath. Valmiki then applied Trikund on the forehead of the Pishach, and with his blessings, the water of the pond finally flowed over him. Lord Vishnu appeared, released him from Pret Yoni, and declared the site to be the place for the release of trapped souls in Pret Yoni; the Kund came to be known as Pishach Mochan Kund.

Another legend revolves around Lord Shiva and Brahma, known as the Kapal Tirth legend. Lord Brahma insulted Shiva, leading Bhairava, a manifestation of Shiva himself, to behead one of Lord Brahma's heads. Upon beheading, Lord Brahma’s head got stuck with Bhairava, and a sin of Brahma-Hatya followed him everywhere. It is said that Bhairava wandered throughout the world. When Bhairava entered Kashi, the skull fell from his body at a place called Pishach Mochan.

Significance of Pishach Mochan Kund:

1. First Stop for Ancestral Rites: It is believed to perform Tripindi Shradh or Narayan Bali Shradh at this place before heading towards Gayaji or Badrinath. It brings the soul back to Pitra (Ancestor) form from the wandering states of Pret Yoni, making it conducive to the soul's final release by performing the final rites in Gaya or Badrinath.

2. Tripindi Shradh and Narayan Bali Shradh: The significance of performing Tripindi and Narayan Bali Shradh at Pishach Mochan is immense, as these powerful rituals help in releasing troubled souls from Pret Yoni. The Tripindi Shradh procedure involves the worship of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, and the Narayan Bali Shradh procedure involves the worship of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Pret, and Yam.

3. Ancestral debts are cleared: Performing any type of rites for the ancestors here brings final release and peace to the ancestors, thus freeing the family from all kinds of ancestral debts.

4 Removal of ’Pitru Dosh’: This place is very powerful for the clearing of Pitru Dosh from the family. Performing Pind Daan, Tripindi Shradh, Narayan Bali Shradh, etc., here helps remove Pitru dosh.

Key rituals at Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi:

The main rituals performed at Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi include Tripindi Shradh, Narayan Bali Shradh, Pind Daan, etc.

1. Tripindi Shradh: Tripindi Shradh Pooja is performed mainly for all the ancestors whose last rites are not performed properly, who are stuck in Pret Yoni, or who are facing hurdles in the afterlife, etc. It is more of a generalised Pooja for the removal of Pitru Dosh due to any of the above-mentioned reasons. One day, Tripindi Shradh at Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi can cost around ₹15,000 and can take 4-5 hours. The more elaborate pooja can take three days and is performed as advised by an expert pandit or astrologer.

The main deities of this Pooja are Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, who are invoked in the form of Sattvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. Brahma Sukta, Rudra Sukta and Purush Sukta are chanted, followed by the offering of Pind.

2. Narayan Bali Shradh:

Narayan Bali Shradh Pooja is performed mainly for the souls who met untimely or unnatural death due to any chronic disease, accident, natural calamity, etc. It is a more intensive pooja than Tripindi Shradh as Pret and Yam are also invoked along with Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. An elaborate and intensive ritual takes place for the soul of the deceased to free from the shackles of Pret Yoni. One day, Narayan Bali Shradh at Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi can cost around ₹25,000 and can take 4-5 hours. The more elaborate pooja can take three days and is performed as advised by an expert pandit or astrologer. The main deities of this Pooja are Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Pret and Yam. Brahma Sukta, Rudra Sukta, Purush Sukta, Pret Sukta and Yam Sukta are chanted along with the offering of Pind and Havan.

3. Pind Daan: It is the symbolic offering of rice/wheat balls, which represent the body of the soul, and water mixed with sesame and barley seeds is poured over the Pind with the proper chanting of the mantras for the soul of the deceased. It is more of a general way of offering gratitude to the ancestors and can be performed at any time. It is not a remedy for removing Pitru Dosh. It can be performed on the deceased's death anniversary, during the 13 days of the last rites ceremony observed after the death of a family member, during Pitru Paksha, etc.

Importance of Peepal Tree at Pishach Mochan Kund:

The Peepal Tree at Pishach Mochan holds immense significance:

1. Acts as a universal witness: The Peepal Tree acts as a universal witness for all the rites which are performed at the Kund. It is believed that ancestors sit on the peepal tree as witnesses to their last rites.

2. Nailing of Coins and Photos: The souls of troubled spirits are nailed in coins and photos on the peepal tree to bind and further release them from the troubled states of the spirit. Therefore, whenever Tripindi Shradh or Narayan Bali Shradh is performed at Pishach Mochan, tamasic spirits are nailed to the tree so they don’t cause trouble for family members.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi is any time of the year. However, some of the good dates as per the Hindu calendar are Panchmi, Astami, Ekadashi, Tryodashi and Amavasya. It can also be visited on the tithi of the deceased soul or the Pitru Paksha period.

VidhiPujan Pooja Packages at Pishach Mochan Temple:

VidhiPujan offers well-organised, easy-to-use packages for Tripindi Shradh and Narayan Bali Shradh at Pishach Mochan Temple. These include expert advice and all the puja supplies needed for the Pooja.

Tripindi Shradh – ₹15,000

• Three Expert Pandits

• All Puja Materials

• Complete puja conducted as per Vedic rituals

Narayan Bali Shradh – ₹25,000

• Five Expert Pandits

• All Puja Materia

• Enhanced Vedic chanting and accuracy

Conclusion:

Pishach Mochan Kund in Varanasi is considered one of the most important places in India for releasing souls from the troubled states of the spirit. The legends surrounding the temple make this place widely famous for performing ancestral rites and removing Pitru Dosh from the family. The holy city of Kashi has been a city of liberation for centuries, and people from all over the world come here seeking liberation for their ancestors.