Gaya (Bihar), Sep 11 - She isn't Hindu, not even Indian. But there she was, a Japanese woman, performing the 'pinda daan' ritual for ancestors, like thousands of Indians who descend on the pilgrim town at this time of the year.

Tomoko Lee, a Tokyo resident in her late 20s, surprised many around her when she offered pinda daan here, about 100 km from state capital Patna.

'I came to India to perform the pinda daan in Gaya. I have fulfilled my wish,' she told IANS before leaving for New Delhi. According to Hindu traditions, it is a prayer and ritual for the salvation of ancestors' souls and is usually performed by men.

It was her profession - as a researcher of Indian culture in the university of Tokyo in Japan - that got her interested in the first place. Tomoko, who is a Buddhist, said information on the internet finally led her to visit Gaya.

Needless to say, it left many surprised.

'I was stunned when a Japanese woman approached me to offer pinda daan. I think it was the first such case!' said the Hindu priest who conducted the rites for her at the bank of the Falgu river in the premises of Vishnupad temple in Gaya Wednesday.

Tomoko said her visit was an amazing experience and left her with a feeling of peace in the land of Hinduism.