Pitru Paksha: Meaning, Dates, Shraddha and Tarpan Rules

Pitru Paksha is a fortnight of 15-16 days in which Hindus remember and honour their ancestors (pitras) with shraddha, tarpan and charity. It begins on the day after Bhadrapada Purnima and ends on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the new moon of Ashwin (Purnimanta). The belief is that the ancestors visit the family in this time, and offerings give them peace and bring their blessings.

How the date of shraddha is decided

Shraddha is done on the tithi on which the person passed away, in the Krishna paksha of Pitru Paksha. For example, if someone died on a Panchami, the shraddha is done on the Panchami in Pitru Paksha. The tithi is taken during Aparahna (the afternoon, the fourth part of the day) or Kutup Muhurat (around midday), which is why the date can differ from the sunrise tithi.

Special days

• Navami (Matri Navami): for mothers and married women who died before their husbands.
• Ekadashi (Indira Ekadashi): for ancestors who passed away on Ekadashi. See Indira Ekadashi. Dwadashi is for those who had taken sanyas.
• Chaturdashi: for people who died by accident, in war or in unnatural ways.
• Sarva Pitru Amavasya: for everyone, and especially when the tithi is not known or a shraddha was missed.

What is done in shraddha

• Tarpan: offering water with black sesame and barley (til and jau) to the ancestors, facing south.
• Pind daan: offering rice balls mixed with sesame, barley and ghee. Gaya in Bihar is the best-known place.
• Feeding: a meal is offered to Brahmins, and a portion is set aside for crows, cows and dogs, believed to carry it to the ancestors.
• Charity: clothes, grains, sesame, an umbrella or money to those who need it.

What is avoided

Families usually avoid buying new clothes, starting new ventures, weddings and other celebrations during this time, and also avoid onion, garlic and non-vegetarian food. This is a time for remembrance, not for festivity. Each family has its own custom, so follow what your elders do and ask a priest.