Punjab family's unconventional ritual: Parrot's 'funeral' feast for 300

Gurdaspur (The Uttam Hindu): People often love their pets, but a case has come to light from Gurdaspur in Punjab which has set a new example of humanity and love for living beings. Here a family of Mohalla Prem Nagar not only mourned the death of their pet parrot pair ('Moon' and 'Pihu') but also performed all the religious rituals for their soul peace which are performed on the death of a human being. The family organised a Paath at Gurudwara Sahib and also arranged a community meal (Langar) for about 300 people on the tenth day (Dasvi).

Homeowners paying tribute to a pair of parrots

Family heads Ashok Kumar and Babli said they adopted the pair seven years ago. They loved them like their own children and considered them extremely lucky. According to the family, when they brought them home, their financial situation was dire, and they lived in a mud house. However, with Moon and Pihu, their circumstances began to improve. They recovered money that had been held back from various sources, and an old land dispute was resolved in their favor, bringing them considerable financial gain. The family believes that these birds were not ordinary creatures, but rather divine spirits.

This unbreakable bond was broken by death when the parrot 'Moon' died suddenly on November 14, 2025. The family had not yet recovered from the shock of this when a month later, on December 19, 2025, the parrot 'Pihu' also died. Both times, the family performed the last rites with full rituals. Immediately after the death, relatives were called, the dead bodies of the birds were bathed and after pouring Ganga water in their mouths, they were buried in the courtyard of the house. As a mark of mourning, Ganga water was sprinkled on the grave site continuously for 10 days.

On the death of the parrot couple, food was arranged for 300 people

To pray for the peace of their beloved birds, the family organized a prayer service at the Gurudwara Sahib. On the day of the feast, they invited community members and relatives, serving food to 300 people. This offering of tarpan (offering) for the parrots and parakeets has become a topic of discussion throughout the area. They have sent a message to society that birds and animals are not just animals; if they are loved, they become like members of the family.