Pitru paksh is a 2 week period from the Full Moon day to the New Moon day of the Hindu month of Ashwin, dedicated to our ancestors.
‘Pitru’ means ancestor. ‘Paksha’ means fortnight.
Shrāddh is the name given to the rituals performed during this 15 day period of our ancestors as well as to any rituals concerned with or dedicated to recently deceased family members.
Shrāddh is said to relieve the souls of our forefathers and help them attain salvation.
In this period we pay homage to our ancestors through the offering of water (Tarpan) and food (Anna daan).
This should ideally be done on the lunar date on which your ancestor’s funeral was done.
How to know the lunar date:
In every lunar month of the Hindu calendar, there are 14 days in the bright half of the month which leads to Full Moon, and 14 days in the dark half of the month which leads to New Moon.
Pitri Paksha starts on the Full Moon day (Purnima) and runs straight to the New Moon day (Amāvasya) thus having 15 days in total.
The pitri paksha days are as follows:
- Day 1 – Prathame
- Day 2 – Dwitiya
- Day 3 – Thritiya
- Day 4 – Chaturthi
- Day 5 – Panchami
- Day 6 – Shashti
- Day 7 – Saptami
- Day 8 – Ashtami
- Day 9 – Navami
- Day 10 – Dashmi
- Day 11 – Ekadashi
- Day 12 – Dwadashi
- Day 13 – Trayodashi
- Day 14 – Chaturdashi
- Day 15 – Amavasya
If you do not know the lunar day or you cannot do Shradh on that day for some reason, then you can perform Shrāddh on the final day, known as Amavasya Shrāddh.
It is also known as Sarvapitra Moksha Amavasya and is the most important day of the Pitri Paksha.
It is intended for all ancestors, irrespective of the lunar day they died. Those who have forgotten to perform shraddha during previous days can do so on this day.
For 2025 Pitru Paksh begins on 8th SEPTEMBER, however, because the Tithi starts after the sunrise, offerings should begin on MONDAY 8th at Sunrise.
Pitri Paksh 2025 ends on 22st SEPTEMBER
Anyone can perform Shrādh.
Do adhere to the following during Pitri Paksha to obtain the full benefits of the observance:
* Maintain a vegetarian diet.
* Abstain from alcohol, tobacco and other stimulants.
* Maintain celibacy.
* Do not cut nails or hair during the 15 days. Before or after is fine.
* Keep separate wares for the preparation and keeping of the food to be offered.
* Perform the Shrāddh ceremony at your home. Not at a temple or beach or river.
* Perform the Tarpan (water offering) in the morning period, just after sunrise. Do not offer water in the evening or night.
* On the chosen day for offering cooked vegetarian food, include Kheer or sweet rice porridge as one of the dishes. Place 5 shares of food on soharie or jackfruit (koa / katahar) leaves at the place where Tarpan was offered. Include fruits and sweets.
* Include cups of water and sweet drinks.
* Sprinkle black till on all the food items. Place a Tulasi leaf on each share of food and in each cup.
Offer the food to Lord Krishna and ask Him to distribute the offerings accordingly to your ancestors. Guests can then be fed.
The time at which the food is offered is usually when the sun is at its highest point in the sky, so that the maximum absorption of the moisture, nutrients and energy within the offered food occurs, through the grace of Lord Surya, the Sun God.
This is not a specific scriptural injunction, but more so an adopted tradition, as most guests are invited for lunch on that day.
It is believed that if the ancestors are content with the shraddha, they will bestow health, wealth, knowledge, longevity, and ultimately salvation (moksha) upon the performer.
ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Om Namo Bhagavate Vāsudevāya
Mantras and Prayers for Pitru Paksha
Chanting mantras during shradh is highly auspicious. Some important ones include:
* “Om Pitrubhyo Namah” – Salutations to ancestors.
* Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra – For peace of departed souls.
* Pitru Gayatri Mantra – To seek blessings and forgiveness.
Chanting these with faith ensures maximum benefit and strengthens the spiritual connection with forefathers.
Significance of Tarpan and Pind Daan
Both Tarpan and Pind Daan hold deep symbolic meaning:
* Tarpan: Offering water represents life and purity. It quenches the thirst of ancestors’ souls and strengthens their blessings.
* Pind Daan: Rice balls symbolise nourishment. By offering food, we ensure peace and satisfaction for departed souls.
The mantras recited during these rituals invoke divine energy, creating a bond between the living and the departed.
The Pitru Gayatri Mantra is chanted to invoke the blessings of the ancestors.
: ॐ पितृगणाय विद्महे जगत धारिणी धीमहि तन्नो पितृो प्रचोदयात्। ॐ देवताभ्य: पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च।
“Om Pitru Ganaaya Vidmahe, Jagat Dhaariney Dheemahi, Thanno Pitro Prachodayaat”.
Meaning:
“Om, we meditate on the divine ancestor, who sustains the universe”.
“May that divine light enlighten and inspire us”.
Maha Mritunjaya Mantra
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् | उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् || Aum Tryambakam yajaamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam | Urvaarukamiva bandhanaan-mrityormuksheeya maamritaat ||
The Meaning of the Mantra “We worship the three-eyed One, who is fragrant and who nourishes all. Like the fruit falls off from the bondage of the stem, may we be liberated from death, from mortality.