Pitr Paksh / Shraddh
Shraddh ritual is a ritual in which we pay respect to our family deities, ancestors and forefathers. Shraddh rituals are performed during a special period of fifteen days in a year, which is called Shraddh Paksha. Shraddha Paksha has started today. Shraddh Paksha is also known as Pitripaksha and Mahalaya. It is believed that during Shraddh Paksh our ancestors come in subtle form and accept the offerings made in their name. This brings peace to the souls of the ancestors and maintains happiness and peace in the house. Tarpan, Pind Daan, Shraddh feast etc. are the main activities in the Shraddh ritual. In Tarpan, water, food, fruits, flowers etc. are offered to the ancestors. In Pind Daan, Pindas are made in the name of ancestors and offered to them. In the Shraddh feast, food is offered to Brahmins and the needy in the name of ancestors. Shraddh ritual is an important ritual, which we should perform with proper rituals. By performing Shraddh, the souls of our ancestors find peace and we receive their blessings. During Pitr Paksh, people also make donations for their ancestors. This donation can be fruits, flowers, clothes, jewellery, food etc.
When does Pitru Paksha occur?
Pitr Paksha is an important festival in the Hindu religion, which starts every year from the full moon day of Bhadrapada month till the new moon day of Ashwin month. During this time, people perform Shraddh rituals for the peace of the souls of their ancestors.
There are two dates to perform Shraddh rituals during Pitr Paksh:
- Bhadrapada Purnima: On this day, Shraddh is performed for those ancestors who died on any full moon day of the year.
- Pitr Paksha dates: During this time, Shraddh is performed for those ancestors who have passed away in any paksha of the year.
Ways to Remember Ancestors during Pitr Paksha
There are many ways to remember ancestors in Pitr Paksh, some of the major ways are as follows:
- Offering water: During Pitr Paksh, water is regularly offered to the ancestors. This water is given facing south direction in the afternoon. Black sesame seeds are mixed in water and Kush is kept in the hand.
- Donating food and clothes: Donation of food and clothes is done on the day of death of the ancestor. This donation can be given to Brahmins or needy people.
- Performing Shraddh feast: In the Shraddh feast, food is offered to Brahmins and the needy in the name of ancestors.
- Remembering ancestors: Remembering our ancestors during Pitr Paksh is also an important way. During this time, we can remember their name, talk about them, and pray for them.
Pitr Paksh Tarpan Method
Every day before sunrise, take a Judi and place it under the Peepal tree facing south, fill a pot with some Ganga water and the rest with plain water, add some milk, sugar candy, black sesame seeds and barley in the pot and stir with a spoon. Keep offering water to Judy 108 times and chanting this mantra on each spoonful of water.
History of Pitr Paksha Shraddh
After the Mahabharata war between Kaurav and Pandavas ended, when everything came to an end, Karn reached heaven after death. Indr, the lord of heaven, welcomed him and served him food. Karn saw that gold, silver and jewellery were presented before him. He asked Indr the reason for this.
Indra said, “Karna, you have donated a lot in your life. You have donated gold, silver, diamonds and other precious items. But you have never donated food for your ancestors.
Karna said, “I did not know anything about my ancestors. I was an orphan. My parents died when I was very young. I did not even know the names of my ancestors.”
Indra said, “It is not your fault. But now you have learned about Pitru Paksha. You can donate food for your ancestors.”
On Indra’s advice, Karna decided to return to Earth. They donated food and offered tarpan to their ancestors during Pitru Paksha. This brought peace to the souls of his ancestors and Karna was freed from his ancestral debt.
Importance of Shraddh dates: A total of 16 dates are fixed for performing Shraddha in Pitru Paksha. Each of these dates has its special significance.
full moon date: Pitr Paksh starts from Purnima Tithi. This day is also known as Prosthapadi Shraddh. On this day, offerings to ancestors and Pind Daan are made.
Holy places in India for Shraddh rituals
According to Hindu Dharmic Literature, some important places in India are famous for performing Shraddh rituals for the peace and happiness of the exiled souls.
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Prayag (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh
Gaya, Bihar
Kedarnath, Uttarakhand
Badrinath, Uttarakhand
Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
Nashik, Maharashtra
Kapal Mochan Sarovar, Yamuna Nagar, Haryana
Sarvapitri Amavasya: Sarvapitri Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya, is the last day of Pitr Paksha. This is the most important date of Pitr Paksh when people gather to pay homage to their ancestors.
Importance of Sarvpitri Amavasya
The importance of Sarvapitri Amavasya lies in the fact that this day is dedicated to the souls of all the ancestors. Whether the date of someone’s death is known or not, homage is paid to all ancestors on this day.
date of sarvapitri amavasya
Sarvapitri Amavasya is celebrated every year on the Amavasya date of Ashwin month. In 2023, Sarvapitri Amavasya is on 14 October
Bharani Shraddh: Bharani Shraddha is an important day falling during Pitr Paksha. It is also known as ‘Mahabharat Shraddh’. On this day people perform Shraddh rituals for the peace of the souls of their ancestors.
Importance of Bharani Shraddh
The significance of Bharani Shraddh lies in the fact that this day is dedicated to the souls of all those ancestors who could not undertake any pilgrimage during their lifetime. It is believed that by performing Bharani Shraddh, these ancestors also get the fruits of the Shraddh performed on pilgrimages.
date of Bharani Shraddha: Bharani Shraddha is celebrated every year on the Chaturthi date of Shukla Paksha of Bhadrapada month. In 2023, Bharani Shraddh is on 2 October.
Bharani Shraddh rituals
On the day of the Bharani Shraddh, people perform Shraddh rituals for their ancestors in their homes or at any holy place. These rituals include:
- Offering water to the ancestors for bathing
- Offering food and other offerings to ancestors
- Lighting lamps and offering incense to ancestors
- Praying for ancestors
Dates from Pratipada to Amavasya
On each of these 15 dates, Shraddh of some ancestor is performed. Those who died on a particular date, their Shraddha is performed on that date. If someone’s death date is not known, then his Shraddha is performed on Amavasya Tithi.
Dwadashi Tithi: Shraddha of sannyasis is performed on the Dwadashi date.
Chaturdashi date: On Chaturdashi Tithi, Shraddha is performed for those dead due to weapons, poison or accidents.
Amavasya date: Shraddha is performed for those with unknown dates on Amavasya Tithi. Sarvapitri Shraddha is also performed on this day, in which the Shraddha of all the ancestors is performed.
Pitr Paksh date
Pitr Paksha has started from 29th September. Its Pratipada date will be from 3:26 p.m. to 12:21 p.m. on 30th September.
Shraddha dates
29 September 2023, Friday Purnima Shraddh
30 September 2023, Saturday Dwitiya Shraddh
1 October 2023, Sunday Tritiya Shraddha
02 October 2023, Monday Chaturthi Shraddha
03 October 2023, Tuesday Panchami Shraddha
04 October 2023, Wednesday Shashthi Shraddh
05 October 2023, Thursday Saptami Shraddh
06 October 2023, Friday Ashtami Shraddh
07 October 2023, Saturday Navami Shraddh
08 October 2023, Sunday Dashami Shraddha
09 October 2023, Monday Ekadashi Shraddh
10 October 2023, Tuesday Magha Shraddh
11 October 2023, Wednesday Dwadashi Shraddh
12 October 2023, Thursday Trayodashi Shraddh
13 October 2023, Friday Chaturdashi Shraddh
14 October 2023, Saturday, Sarva Pitru Amavasya