Pitru Paksha, also known as the fortnight dedicated to our ancestors, holds a special place in Hindu traditions. It is believed that during this period, our forefathers visit the earth to bless their descendants. Performing Pitru Paksha Shradh rituals is considered an important duty, ensuring peace and salvation for departed souls.
Pitru Paksha 2025 Start and End Dates
The Pitru Paksha in 2025 will begin on Sunday, September 7, 2025, and conclude on Sunday, September 21, 2025. During this 15-day period, devotees perform Shradh rituals to honor their ancestors and seek their blessings. Since Ashwina Amavasya on September 21, 2025, marks the final day of Pitru Paksha, it holds special importance for offering tarpan and Shradh ceremonies.
In this blog, we will explore the Pitru Paksha meaning, its importance, and the significance of Shradh rituals.
What is Pitru Paksha? – Meaning and Belief
The Pitru Paksha meaning translates to the “fortnight of the ancestors.” It usually falls in the month of Bhadrapada (September–October) as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
- It lasts for 16 days.
- Each day is dedicated to offering Shradh for ancestors who passed away on that particular lunar date (tithi).
- Families perform rituals such as food offerings, tarpan (water offering), and charity to honor the departed souls.
Importance of Pitru Paksha
The importance of Pitru Paksha lies in the belief that by remembering and performing rituals for ancestors, their souls attain peace, and the family receives blessings of prosperity, health, and happiness.
Some key reasons why Pitru Paksha is important:
- It is a way to express gratitude to ancestors.
- It removes Pitru Dosha (ancestral curse) from the family.
- It is believed to bring harmony, wealth, and spiritual growth.
- Ignoring Shradh rituals is considered inauspicious, leading to obstacles in life.
Pitru Paksha Significance in Hindu Tradition
The Pitru Paksha significance is deeply rooted in Vedic beliefs:
- According to the scriptures, offerings made during Shradh directly reach ancestors in the form of energy.
- This is the only period in the year dedicated solely to departed souls.
- It symbolizes the eternal bond between the living and the deceased family members.
How to Perform Pitru Paksha Shradh Rituals
Time needed: 1 day
Performing Pitru Paksha Shradh rituals helps honor ancestors, bring peace to their souls, and attract blessings for the family.
- Choose the Right Tithi
Identify the lunar day (tithi) of your ancestor’s death. If unknown, perform Shradh on Sarva Pitru Amavasya (the last day).
- Prepare the Ritual Place
Clean the puja area. Sit facing south (the direction of ancestors) and arrange items like sesame seeds, barley, rice, and kusha grass.
- Perform Tarpan
Offer water mixed with sesame, barley, and kusha grass while chanting mantras to quench the thirst of ancestors.
- Perform Pind Daan
Make pindas (rice balls with barley, sesame, ghee, and honey). Offer them with devotion to ancestors.
- Feed Brahmins and the Needy
Serve food and give charity (clothes, grains, or money) to Brahmins and poor people, as this is believed to reach the ancestors symbolically.
- Pray and Complete the Ritual
Light a lamp, offer prayers for peace of the departed souls, and seek blessings for health, harmony, and prosperity.
Pitru Paksha Shradh Rituals – How is Shradh Performed?
Performing Pitru Paksha Shradh rituals is a sacred duty known as “Pitru Rina” (debt towards ancestors). The main rituals include:
1. Tarpan (Offering Water)
- Water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, and kusha grass is offered to ancestors.
2. Pind Daan (Offering Food)
- Rice balls, barley, and sesame are offered to the departed souls.
- Food is later given to crows, cows, and dogs, believed to carry the offerings to ancestors.
3. Shradh Bhoj (Feeding Brahmins)
- Brahmins or needy people are fed with devotion.
- Charity in the form of clothes, food, or money is given.
FAQ’s
Pitru Paksha is a 15-day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honoring and performing rituals for ancestors through Shradh, Tarpan, and charity.
In 2025, Pitru Paksha will begin on Sunday, September 7, 2025, and end on Sunday, September 21, 2025, with Ashwina Amavasya.
It is believed that performing rituals during Pitru Paksha gives peace to departed souls, removes Pitru Dosha (ancestral curse), and brings blessings to the family.
The main rituals include Tarpan (water offering), Pind Daan (food offering), Shradh ceremonies, feeding Brahmins, and giving donations.
Fasting is optional but considered auspicious. Many devotees observe partial or full fasting while performing Shradh rituals.
Food, clothes, grains, and money are commonly donated to Brahmins, priests, or needy people. Charity is believed to reach ancestors symbolically.
Yes, women can perform Shradh and Tarpan if required. Scriptures highlight devotion and intention as more important than gender restrictions.
It is believed that neglecting Shradh rituals may cause Pitru Dosha, leading to obstacles in health, wealth, and family harmony. Performing Shradh ensures peace for ancestors and blessings for descendants.
Conclusion
The importance of Pitru Paksha goes beyond rituals—it’s about remembering our roots and expressing gratitude. By performing Pitru Paksha Shradh rituals, families not only bring peace to their ancestors but also invite blessings for their future generations.
Pitru Paksha reminds us that life is a cycle where honoring the past creates harmony in the present and future.