Special rituals on days 11 and 12: On these days, the family performs special rituals and gives charity. This helps the soul satisfy its hunger. The family’s prayers and the lamp lit in the evening guide the soul. They help it let go of its worldly attachments and get ready for the journey to Yama Loka.
Leaving home for good on the 13th day: According to the Garuda Purana, the soul permanently leaves its home and this world only on the 13th day after death. Once the 13th-day rituals are over, Yama’s messengers escort the soul towards Yama Loka. This final journey can take anywhere from 47 days to a whole year, depending on the soul’s karma.
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