The full moon time of Bhadrapada and the Pratipada of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month from Amavasya is called Pitru Paksha. In the year 2021, Pitru Paksha will commence from 20th September 2021 (Monday) till 6th October 2021 (Wednesday).  According to Brahmpurana, before worshiping the Gods, a man should worship his ancestors because  it is believed that the Gods are pleased of that. For this reason, the elders are honored and posthumously worshiped in Indian society. These offerings are in the form of Shradh which is to be performed on the tithi (date) of death,  falling in Pitrupaksha and if the tithi is not known, then Ashwin Amavasya can be worshiped which is also called All Sovereign Amavasya. On Shradh we remember our ancestors by doing tarpan and offer food and dakshina to Brahmins or needy people.

Shradh Dates

–              20th September 2021 (Monday) – Purnima Shradh

–              21st September 2021 (Tuesday) – Pratipada Shradh

–              22nd September 2021 (Wednesday) – Dwitiya Shradh or Dooj Shradh

–              23rd September 2021 (Thursday) – Tritiya Shradh

–              24th September 2021 (Friday) – Chaturthi Shradh and Maha Bharani Shradh

–              25th September 2021 (Saturday) – Panchami Shradh

–              27th September 2021 (Sunday) – Shashti Shradh

–              28th September 2021 (Tuesday) – Saptami Shradh

–              29th September 2021 (Wednesday) – Ashtami Shradh

–              30th September 2021 (Thursday) – Navami Shradh

–              1st October 2021 (Friday) – Dashmi Shradh

–              2nd October 2021 (Saturday) – Ekadashi Shradh

–              3rd October 2021 (Sunday) – Dwadashi Shradh or Magha Shradh

–              4th October 2021 (Monday) – Trayodashi Shradh

–              5th October 2021 (Tuesday) – Chaturdashi Shradh

–              6th October 2021 (Wednesday) – Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Amavasya Shradh

As per the Hindu beliefs, these 15-16 days mark the presence of ancestors on the earth who come down to bless their offsprings and their children. Hindus offer foods to dogs, cows and crows as part of the ritual. It is believed that the food given to these animals and birds is fed to deceased ancestors.

The eldest member of the family, particularly the eldest son, begins the ritual by wearing clean clothes and a ring made of kush grass after a holy bath. Kush is a symbol of kindness and is used to invoke ancestors.

After that, a wooden table covered with a white cloth is kept in the south direction. Black sesame seeds and barley seeds are spread on the table and a picture of the ancestor is placed on it.

Devotees then invite their ancestors and offer ‘Pind’ in the form of rice balls which are usually made with ghee, honey, rice, goat’s milk, sugar and occasionally barley.

Pind is followed by ‘Tarpan’ where water mixed with flour, barley, kush and black sesame and offered. Once the Pind and Tarpan are done, the poor and needy people are offered food.

SIGNIFICANCE

As per Hindu Puranas, it is believed that Hindus owe a karmic debt to their ancestors and they try to pay that by performing ‘Pind Daan’ during Shradh. It is said that Pind Daan performed by the succeeding generations on earth fulfil their ancestors’ unfulfilled desires and ensure their entry to heaven.

Mistakes You Should Avoid During Pitru Paksha

The followers of Hindu religion perform many rituals and practices for the peace of the soul of their ancestors. Hindus offer food and water (tarpan) during Pitru Paksha for the salvation of their ancestors. According to the Hindu calendar, it is a 16–day lunar period spanning over the months of Bhadrapada and Ashwin. This year, Pitru Paksha will be observed from September 20 to October 6. In this period, Hindus remember their ancestors and perform ‘rituals like -Tarpan’, ‘Pind Daan’ and ‘Shradh’.

It is believed that by observing Pitru Paksha, Hindus get the blessings of their ancestors to get success, happiness and prosperity.

Saveral holy books of Hinduism describe mistakes that must be avoided during Pitru Paksha. According to scriptures and religious texts, Hindus are expected to avoid the following things during Pitru Paksha:

–              Vegetarian food should be consumed during Pitru Paksha. If you consume non-vegetarian food and alcohol during the 16-days lunar period, then it may upset the departed soul and you are likely to face trouble.

–              The member of the household who performs ‘Shradh’ rituals in Pitru Paksha should not cut his hair and nails during the 16-day lunar period. He should also follow celibacy.

–              Shradh should be performed before sunset. It is considered inauspicious to perform Shradh after sunset.

–              If any animal or bird comes to your door during the Pitru Paksha, then you must give food to them. It is believed that ancestors come to meet you in the form of animals and birds. If possible, you should give food to cows and crows during this period.

–              It is considered auspicious to eat on the leaf in Pitru Paksha and feed Brahmins on the leaf during this period.

–              Any auspicious work like marriage, engagement should not be done during Pitru Paksha at all. You should also avoid buying any new things during this period.