The priests also won support from a section of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with ministers Ashwani Kumar Choubey and Prem Kumar asking the government to reverse its decision.

As part of the 'pind daan' rituals, devotees shave their heads and take a dip in the pond called Baitarni on the banks of the Falgu river. Some of the prayers are held at the famous Vishnupad temple named after god Vishnu. Priests, known as Gaywal-Pandas, conduct the ritual.

'The soul keeps wandering till this ritual is performed by male descendants of the dead,' priest Murari Lal said.

Legend has it that Lord Rama and his wife Sita performed this religious rite for his father, King Dasharath.