What is Pitru Paksha?
Pitru Paksha also known as Shraddha Paksh or Kanagat is a 16 lunar day’s period when everyone pays respect and honour to our ancestors and pay homage by offering a variety of food and feed to cows, dogs and crows. It is believed that the offered food reaches the ancestors and make them appeased and satisfies them in all the forms.
Mythological texts also that before Dev Pooja, everyone should worship their ancestors. Gods are also pleased when ancestors are pleased. This is the reason that while living in Indian society or culture, the elders of the house are respected in all the aspects and manner.
Why do we perform Pitru Paksha?
The day we celebrate Pitru Paksha for our ancestors is called shraddha karma, and it is performed accordingly. It is also believed that if the souls of our ancestors are not satisfied according to law, they do not get liberation and their soul wanders after the death.
There is also an astrological reason to celebrate Pitru Paksha. Pitru dosha is considered very important in astrology. When the person reaches near success, even when he is dispossessed of success, problems in childbirth, loss of wealth, then astrologer may suggest that this is due to the strong possibility of Pitru dosha.
When does Pitru Paksha or Shraddha Paksha occur?
Pitru Paksha generally falls in September or October. According to Indian Amavasyant calendar, it falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada and falls in the lunar month of Ashwin according to Indian Purnimant Calendar. Though calendars are different shraddha rituals are performed on similar days.
About Pitru Paksha 2023
This year, the Pitru Paksha falls between September 29, 2023 and October 14, 2023 and if one’s ancestors are deceased on any day from Patipada – 1 lunar day to Amavasya -30th lunar day, then one must celebrate or offer appeasement on that day.
The last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. Sarvapitri Amavasya is the most important day of Pitru Paksha because if anyone does not remember or is not aware of the Tithi, then the offerings can be made on the last day which is called Sarva Pitru Amavasya day.
Apart from all this, these days have special significance for Hindus. According to Puranic literature, Tarpan (offering food and water to ancestors) and Daan (offering to the poor to appease and satisfy the souls of ancestors) are performed respectively.
What is the key significance of Pitru Paksha?
According to Vedic Astrology, the Gods on the planet Earth moves to the North (Gol) and the South (Gol) passes close to the Earth along with Chandra Lok on the full moon of Bhadrapada month.
The souls of our ancestors wait for this month throughout the year. They reach the door of their home on their death date in the south direction through Chandra Lok and after receiving their (offerings) respect; they happily leave their new generation and bless them respectively.
Which are the holy places for performing Shraaddh Rituals or Pitru Paksh Puja?
There are some significant holy places in India where you can perform Shraddha rituals for your ancestors so that their souls stay in peace and they may be happy. As per Hindu Mythology, Varanasi, Gaya, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Nasik, Rameshwaram, Yamuna Nagar, Chanod are some holy places where you can perform these rituals.
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With Ganesha’s Grace,
The GaneshaSpeaks Team