Sidhpur (Matri Gaya), Gujarat

Why this place matters

Sidhpur, in the Patan district of north Gujarat, is known as Matri Gaya (matri = mother). Just as Gaya is traditionally the place for Pind Daan for one's father and paternal line, Sidhpur is the place where, by tradition, Shraddha is offered for one's mother. Many Gujarati and Rajasthani families, among others, hold to this custom.

The centre is the Bindu Sarovar, a sacred lake on the Saraswati. Two stories are told. In one, the sage Kapila taught his mother Devahuti here, and performed her rites. In the other, Parashurama performed the rites for his mother Renuka at this lake. Both are accounts handed down by tradition. The lake is also counted among the five sacred lakes, the Pancha Sarovar. Traditions vary; follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance, and speak to your family elders about whether Sidhpur suits your family.

Rituals performed here

• Bindu Sarovar: Pilgrims bathe, take a vow, and offer Tarpan for the mother and for the maternal line. Pind Daan and Shraddha follow on the banks, guided by priests.
• Matri Shraddha: The central rite, performed for one's departed mother. How often to repeat it, and whether it replaces other rites, differs between families. Ask a priest of your tradition.
• Temples and ruins: The Rudra Mahalaya ruins and local temples are visited by many. Sidhpur is also known for its old havelis built by the Bohra community.

The rite follows the usual order: a bath, a vow, Tarpan, Pind Daan and a meal or gift for a Brahmin. Women may also take part in Shraddha in some families, and who may perform the rites is a matter of family tradition; see the guide on who can perform on this site. For the general method see the Pind Daan vidhi and Tarpan vidhi guides.

Best time to visit

Traditional occasions. The main fair is held at Bindu Sarovar from about Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima, and this is when most families come. Rites are also done at other times of the year; ask a local priest which days suit your family.

Practical season. November to February is pleasant, with mild days and cool nights. March to June is very hot and dry, with daytime temperatures that can be hard on the elderly. The monsoon from July to September is moderate in this part of Gujarat. The Kartik fair draws thousands of families over a few days, so expect crowded ghats and full lodgings.

Planning your visit

Sidhpur has traditional priests who guide families, and some keep long-standing family records. Ask your elders or priest for a name.

• Book through an official or well-reviewed channel, and agree on the scope of the rite and the dakshina (dakshina = the priest's offering) before beginning. Avoid touts who approach you at the station or the lake.
• Time needed: the rite takes a morning. Allow a day, and a second day if you want to see the old town and the nearby sites.
• Getting there: Sidhpur has a railway station on the Ahmedabad to Palanpur line. The nearest large airport is Ahmedabad, a few hours away by road. Buses run from Mehsana, Patan and Palanpur.
• What to wear and carry: modest clothes you can bathe in, a spare set, a towel, sandals, a hat and sunscreen, water. Note down your mother's name, the tithi or date of her passing and your family details before you go, as the priest will ask for them for the vow.

Practical tips

• Water level and cleanliness of the lake vary through the year. Follow the priest's guidance on where to bathe.
• Ghats have steps and a lake edge; keep a close eye on children and the elderly.
• Book rooms ahead for the Kartik fair.
• Offerings such as pindas should be made according to the local rules for the lake, which are posted by the authorities. Do not leave plastic or leaf plates in the water.
• Check the Gujarat tourism and Patan district administration for the fair's arrangements and official notices.