Tue Sep 09 21:08:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article, focusing on the key event:
**Summary:**
The text includes a list of news section from “The Hindu,” including “The View From India”, “First Day First Show”, “Today’s Cache” etc. It also reports that RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, along with his family, performed ‘pind-daan’ rituals at the Vishnupad temple in Gaya, Bihar, on September 9, 2025, for the salvation of his ancestors’ souls. Despite health concerns, he insisted on carrying out the rituals during ‘Pitru Paksha’, considered auspicious for ancestral rites. The visit also prompted political reactions, with a rival party member referencing Yadav’s previous sarcastic remarks about PM Modi’s visit to Gaya.
**News Article:**
**Lalu Prasad Yadav Performs Ancestral Rituals in Gaya, Sparks Political Sparring**
**Patna, September 10, 2025:** Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, accompanied by his wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav, performed ‘pind-daan’ rituals at the Vishnupad temple in Gaya, Bihar, on Tuesday, September 9th. The rituals, aimed at the salvation of his ancestors’ souls, were conducted on the banks of the Falgu River during the auspicious ‘Pitru Paksha’ period.
Despite recent health challenges, Yadav insisted on participating in the ceremony, arriving in a wheelchair. Tejashwi Yadav, Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, emphasized the importance of the occasion for his father and the family.
“During Pitru Paksha, we have come to the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya ji. My parents performed ‘pind-daan’ and offered tributes to their ancestors after worship,” Tejashwi Yadav said.
The event, however, quickly took on a political dimension. Janata Dal -(United) MLC and spokesperson Niraj Kumar, referencing Yadav’s previous sarcastic comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s August visit to Gaya, questioned the timing and sincerity of the ritual. Kumar alluded to Yadav’s critical statements regarding Nitish Kumar and reminded Lalu that assets acquired through illegal means won’t lead to salvation.
Pandit Shambhu Nath, the priest at the temple, noted that Yadav had previously visited the temple and registered his ancestors’ names, expressing his intention to perform the ‘pind-daan’ on September 9th, 2025.
The performance of ‘pind-daan’ during ‘Pitru Paksha’ in Gaya is considered highly auspicious by Hindus, believed to free ancestors from the cycle of birth and death. The annual Pitru Paksha Mela attracts devotees from across India and abroad to the city for these rituals.
First Piper 