# What to Do If Crows Are Missing During Shraddh: Feed These Animals to Honour Ancestors > If crows cannot be found during Pitru Paksha due to urbanisation, offering food to cows, dogs, ants, and other local birds fully honours ancestral traditions. **Type:** article · **Category:** Rajasthan · **Published:** 2026-10-04 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/pitru-paksha-shraddh-men-kauva-na-milane-para-kya-karen-ina-jivon-ko-karaen-bhojana-42573 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Pitru Paksha, Shraddh, Crow, Ancestors, Pandit Kamlesh Vyas, Bhilwara, Animal Compassion During the period of Pitru Paksha, traditional rituals such as Shraddh and Tarpan are performed to bring peace and satisfaction to departed ancestors. According to Hindu beliefs, offering food to crows during these days is a centuries-old custom. It is traditionally believed that ancestors take the form of crows to visit the earth and accept the offerings prepared by their family members. However, rapid urban growth and modern environmental changes have made crows increasingly scarce across towns and cities. Many families wait for hours hoping to spot a crow, only to find none. This widespread issue leaves many people wondering how to properly carry out their ancestral offerings when no crows can be found. ## Alternative Animals and Birds to Receive Offerings Addressing this common practical dilemma, Pandit Kamlesh Vyas, the Nagar Vyas from Bhilwara headquarters, has provided reassuring clarity for devotees. He explained that Pitru Paksha is fundamentally centered on genuine devotion and selfless reverence toward one's forebears. While offering food to a crow holds a dedicated place in traditional rituals, the unavailability of crows should not cause distress. Devotees can comfortably offer the Shraddh meal to other living creatures to fulfill the rite. For instance, people can offer fresh flatbread or green fodder to cows, feed dogs, or spread flour mixed with sugar for ants. In addition, grains like pearl millet and sorghum can be scattered on rooftops or in open spaces to nourish other nearby bird species. ## Compassion for Nature as the True Purpose According to Pandit Kamlesh Vyas, offering food to living beings is far more than an outward religious formality. The foundational purpose underlying this tradition is cultivating kindness, charity, and active care toward all living creatures. The Sanatan tradition has consistently placed the care of nature and mute animals at the highest moral standing. When someone relieves the hunger of an animal or bird, the spiritual virtue earned directly reaches the ancestors, bringing peace to their departed souls. In numerous households, this practice has been handed down through generations, with an initial portion of the ceremonial meal always set aside specifically for animals and birds before anyone else eats. ## Key Precautions When Offering Food to Animals Certain essential precautions must be observed while serving food to animals and birds. Cleanliness and the pure nature of the meal are the most critical factors. The food provided must be wholesome, freshly prepared, and purely vegetarian. Spoiled, decayed, or harmful food items should never be fed to animals, as these could jeopardize their health and well-being. Pandit Vyas also noted that customs connected to Shraddh may vary slightly depending on region and family background. Families are therefore encouraged to carry out their rituals in line with their specific ancestral traditions and local customs. Giving food with heartfelt sincerity and caring for voiceless creatures remains the finest way to pay homage to ancestors while fostering social goodwill. ## What this means for you Urban residents observing ancestral rites receive a practical and stress-free alternative when crows cannot be located. - **Ritual Alternative:** Rites do not remain incomplete if crows are absent. You can fulfill the custom by offering meals to cows, dogs, ants, or local birds. - **Food Purity:** Meals offered to animals must be entirely fresh and hygienic. Spoiled or unsuitable food can harm animal health, so only pure provisions should be served. - **Caring for Birds:** Grains such as pearl millet and sorghum can be placed on rooftops or balconies. This feeds local bird species effectively while maintaining traditional practices. - **Family Customs:** Ritual details often differ across regions and lineages. Observers can comfortably follow their specific household heritage and local conventions. ## Why this happened Rapid urban sprawl has significantly reduced urban crow sightings, prompting scriptural clarifications on suitable alternatives. - **Urban Expansion:** Concrete development and shrinking tree cover have drastically reduced crow populations in towns. Consequently, residents struggle to locate them during Shraddh. - **Traditional Belief:** Ancient folklore holds that departed forebears visit the earth in the form of crows. This established the custom of dedicating food primarily to them. - **Philosophy of Compassion:** Sanatan traditions hold that nourishing any speechless creature generates spiritual virtue. Scholars therefore recommend feeding alternative animals when crows are unavailable. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Why are crows traditionally fed during Shraddh? Belief holds that departed ancestors assume the form of crows to visit the physical world and accept meals offered by relatives. ### 2. What should be done if a crow cannot be found during Shraddh? One can feed cows with bread or fodder, offer food to dogs, supply flour and sugar to ants, or scatter grain for birds. ### 3. What precaution must be observed when serving food to animals? The food must be fresh, clean, and purely wholesome, ensuring no spoiled or harmful items are given to animals. ### 4. Which grains are recommended for local birds? Grains such as pearl millet, sorghum, and other wholesome cereals can be scattered in open areas or on rooftops. ### 5. Do Shraddh traditions vary across households? Yes, customs may vary by region and lineage, and people can adhere to their specific household practices. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._