Hundreds of Hindus thronged the holy town of Gaya in Bihar on Tuesday to pray for salvation of their ancestors.

On the first day of the 'Shradh Paksha', a 15-day Hindu religious ritual that started today and will continue till September 9, many Hindus perform 'Pind Daan' or 'Shradh,' believing this will relieve their ancestors of all sins and help their souls attain salvation.

"It is written in our religious books that a man should do 'Shradh' for his dead father and mother so that their spirits can achieve salvation. This is the religious duty of a son," said Kanhaiya Lal Sharma, a devotee from Jaipur.

Devotees also offered cots, food, utensils and clothes to the priests.

People later took dips in the Phalgu River before offering rice and flowers in gratitude to their ancestors.

"People first take bath in the Phalgu River and then offer water to the spirit of the dead person. Then they perform 'Pind Dan' or 'Shradh'. (It is believed that) the spirit will receive salvation if we will perform this," said Kishanlal Barik, a priest.