Spaniards, Germans throng Gaya for Pitrapaksha

Several foreigners hailing from far off places like Germany, Russia and Spain have thronged Gaya this year for paying tributes to their ancestors during the ongoing Pitrapaksha fair.
A group of 18 foreigners from Germany, Russia and Spain today arrived at Gaya where they would stay over the next three days for conducting 'Pind daan'.
They join several others who have already converged at Gaya for the fair.
The famous annual Pitrapaksha fair started on Tuesday last and will continue till September 20.
The visitors said they have heard a lot about the ritual and felt inspired to visit Gaya to pay respect to the departed souls of their near and dear ones.

Kriucov Anantolalla of Russia said, "I have come here to seek peace for my husband, family and the country. I had heard about the festival of worshipping ancestors at Gaya and this inspired me to come here," she said.

Anna Baron of Germany said things were not quite right back home for her and her family which was why she came to Gaya to make an effort to tide over the crisis.
On instruction of Magadh Commissioner Jitendra Shrivastava, the Gaya district adminstration welcomed the foreigners at the Railway station by garlanding them today.
Elaborate arrangements have been made for the ongoing Pitrapaksha fair on behalf of the Bihar government.

An estimated 10 lakh people, including foreigners, are expected to throng the Pitrapaksha.