🕉️ Quick Guide to Pitru Paksha (श्राद्ध पक्ष)

📌 What is Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha, also called Shraddh Paksha, is a 16-day period dedicated to paying homage to ancestors (Pitru). During this time, Hindus perform rituals, tarpan, pind daan, and offer food in remembrance of departed souls, seeking their blessings.

It usually falls in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon phase) of Ashwin month (September–October).

🌿 Importance of Pitru Paksha

• Expresses gratitude towards ancestors.

• Belief: Ancestors visit Earth during this period to receive offerings.

• Ensures peace, prosperity, and removal of Pitru Dosh.

• Connects generations spiritually.

📅 Duration

• 16 days (usually starts the day after Purnima of Bhadrapada and ends on Sarva Pitru Amavasya).

• Each day is devoted to particular ancestors (by tithi).

🙏 Rituals of Pitru Paksha

1. Shraddh (श्राद्ध कर्म)

   • Performed on the tithi (lunar date) of the ancestor’s death.

   • Involves offering pind (rice balls, sesame, barley, ghee, honey).

   • Recitation of mantras by a priest or family elder.

2. Tarpan (तर्पण)

   • Offering water mixed with black sesame, barley, and kush grass to ancestors.

   • Done facing south direction (direction of ancestors).

3. Pind Daan (पिंड दान)

   • Symbolic offering of food to satisfy souls.

   • Often performed at sacred places like Gaya, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Nashik.

4. Brahmin & Cow Feeding

   • Food is first offered to crows (believed to be messengers of Pitru).

   • Feeding Brahmins, cows, and the poor is considered highly auspicious.

5. Sarva Pitru Amavasya

   • The final day when rituals are performed for all ancestors if death dates are unknown.

📜 Rules & Do’s during Pitru Paksha

• Wake up early, bathe, and maintain purity.

• Perform Shraddh with devotion and respect.

• Offer food items like kheer, rice, dal, pumpkin, urad dal, and greens.

• Avoid onion, garlic, meat, alcohol, and tamasic food.

• Avoid cutting nails, shaving, and starting new ventures.

🌸 Spiritual Beliefs

• Ancestors bless with long life, good health, wealth, and progeny.

• Helps in reducing Pitru Dosh (ancestral karmic debts).

• Brings peace to wandering souls.

✨ Key Mantra for Pitru Paksha

“ॐ पितृभ्यः स्वधा नमः”

(Offering salutations to ancestors with devotion).

📖 Conclusion

Pitru Paksha is a sacred period where love, duty, and gratitude towards forefathers are expressed. Performing Shraddh and tarpan sincerely ensures blessings and maintains the spiritual bond across generations.