Pitṛtīrtha of Rāma (Gautamī)

Pitṛtīrtha · pitṛ-tīrtha, “the tīrtha of the ancestors”

Pitṛ-tīrtha has other meanings too: see all meanings of Pitṛ-tīrtha.

Pitṛtīrtha is a tīrtha on the Gautamī Gaṅgā (the Godāvarī), lying to the south of the Pāpapraṇāśana tīrtha, also called Dhautapāpa. It is named for the pitṛs (the ancestors), because there Śrī Rāma, the son of Daśaratha, together with Sītā, propitiated his ancestors. Brahmā tells Nārada of it in the Gautamī Māhātmya of the Brahma Purāṇa, just before the account of the Viśvāmitra-tīrtha.

The tīrtha and its name

Brahmā says that to the south of Pāpapraṇāśana lies the very rare tīrtha called Pitṛtīrtha. It is pure and dispels all pāpas. It is called Pitṛtīrtha because there Śrī Rāma, son of Daśaratha, with Sītā, offered tarpaṇa to his pitṛs and propitiated them.

The phala

Snāna (the holy bath), dāna (gifts) and tarpaṇa (offerings of water) to the pitṛs performed at Pitṛtīrtha all become everlasting (akshaya). Brahmā says no worry need be felt in this.

Source: Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 23

Sources

• Brahma Purāṇa, Gautamī Māhātmya, Chapter 23