On the banks of the Alakananda River is the famous Brahma Kapal Ghat, where Hindus perform rituals for their departed dear ones and by doing so, it is beleived the departed souls get liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The ritual uses pind as the symbolic offering to the ancestors. A Tarpan is usually performed along the riverside or a flowing water body. Pinddan Tarpan contains rice balls with sesame seeds and water.
It was believed that Lord Shiva got his curse lifted and got his salvation here at Brahma Kapal after committing a Brahma sin. Hindu devotees take a dip in the river or bathe in it because Hindu belief states that doing so one cleanses his or her worldly sins.
Please watch our video on our visit to Brahmakapal: