MJ gets ‘pind-daan’ dedication in India

WASHINGTON - Michael Jackson received a sacred send-off in India as Hindu fans in the country dedicated a pind-daan ritual to the King of Pop at the holy city of Bodh Gaya.

The peace ceremony was performed as part of last week’s pitrapaksh festivities.

The ritual was conducted at the 220-year-old Vishnupad Temple on the banks of the Falgu River in Bihar, and led by a priest who is a devotee of the King of Pop.

“Several celebrities have offered prayers here in the past for the salvation of their ancestors, including the Bollywood superstar Shatrughan Sinha,” Contactmusic quoted Hindu statesman Rajan Zed as saying.

“Hindus believe that pind-daan, performed during the fortnight long pitrapaksh period, brings relief to departed souls. Around one million people from all over the world congregate in Bodh Gaya for pind-daan annually. After taking bath in a nearby kund (reservoir), the pilgrims perform pind-daan, involving religious rites for the peace of souls of one’s parents and ancestors.

“Michael Jackson’s personal life might had been controversial, but he did provide joy to a large populace of the world through his music.

“Furthermore, he had a special bond with India and Hinduism.

According to reports, he was reading India’s first Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s poems during the last days of his life and he collaborated with Oscar winner A. R. Rahman.

He reportedly learned how to meditate and was vegetarian,” he added. (ANI)