Varanasi News: As the Pitru Paksha rituals began on September 17, 2024, a growing number of families performing Shraddha pooja have expressed concern over the absence of crows, a bird considered sacred for ancestral offerings. Traditionally, during Pitru Paksha, food is offered to crows as part of Panchbali bhog, which also involves feeding dogs, ants, cows, and gods for the peace of one's ancestors. However, this year, crows are notably absent from Indian skies, leaving many devotees worried about the completion of their rituals.
"Crows, which are essential for offering bhog, are rarely seen now. Devotees are troubled because it is believed that if the crow eats the food, the ancestors have accepted it. Without them, there is doubt about the completeness of the pooja," said Pandit Vishwantacharya, while speaking to ABP News as he performed Shraddha rituals for a family at the Pishach Mochan Kund in Kashi.
ALSO READ ON ABP LIVE | When Is Mahalaya 2024? Know Durga Puja, Dussehra 2024 Dates And All About The Festival
Ecological And Cultural Impact Of Disappearing Crows
The cultural significance of crows in India extends beyond Pitru Paksha. In Hindu mythology, they are seen as messengers between the living and the dead, and their presence during Shraddha is considered a symbol of ancestral blessings. However, the rapid decline in their population is not only a concern limited to devotees, but suggests a deepening ecological crisis.
Experts like Salil Dubey, a zoologist at Banaras Hindu University, confirmed that the number of crows is significantly dwindling, attributing the decline to rapid urbanisation and deforestation.
Despite being a resilient species known for adapting to harsh environments, crows are facing a sharp population decline, posing a worrying sign for biodiversity in India. “The situation requires immediate attention, or we risk seeing the extinction of this species in the near future,” Dubey told ABP News.