Pitru Paksha 2021: Start and End Date, Significance, Puja Vidhi
New Delhi, Sep 20: Pitru Paksha 2021, considered an auspicious day to perform the Shraddha of ancestors is being observed today. On this day, Hindus pay homage to their ancestors by offering food.
Hindus believe that by performing the act of Tarpan during Pitru Paksha, families can help their forefathers and ancestors to get salvation.
Pitru Paksha falls in the 2nd paksha (fortnight) Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September) and follows the fortnight immediately after Ganesh Utsav. It begins on the Pratipada (first day of the fortnight) ending with the no moon day known as Mahalaya Amavasya.
What is Pitru Paksha
Pratipada Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Pratipada Tithi, including both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Pratipada.
During Pitru Paksha, each day is dedicated to different section of dead ancestors.. such as dead women, dead children, accidentally dead ancestors, etc.
"If there is no person to perform Shraddha at maternal home then doing Shraddha on this Tithi appeases souls of maternal grandparents. Even if death anniversary of maternal grandparents are not known then also Shraddha can be done on this Tithi. It is believed that performing this Shraddha brings happiness and prosperity at the home," according to Drik Panchang.
Why Pitru Paksha is relevant today
In our busy lives, we are tend to loose our connect with our root. Pitru Paksha gives us the opportunity to remember our ancestors, because of whom we exist. It teaches us to respect our ancestors, also it instills the idea of charity as food is offered to Brahmins, while performing puja vidhi.
Purnima Shraddha 2021: Puja Vidhi
Pind Daan: As first step, Pind, made up of rice, ghee, honey, goat's milk and sugar, is offered to ancestors.
Tarpan: After Pind, people do Tarpan, where water mixed with barley, flour, black sesame and kusha grass, is offered to the ancestors.
After Tarpan, people offer food to brahmin.
During this time, people refrain from eating non-veg, garlic, onion, alcohol
It also beleived that during this period, people should not cut hair and avoid buying a vehicle, house, etc.
Pitru Paksha 2021 Calendar: Start and End Date
September
21:
Pratipada
Shradh
September
22:
Dwitiya
Shradh
September
23:
Tritiya
Shradh
September
24:
Chaturthi
Shradh
September
25:
Panchami
Shradh
September
26:
Sashti
Shradh
September
28:
Saptami
Shradh
September
29:
Ashtami
Shradh
September
30:
Navami
Shradh
October
1:
Dashami
Shradh
October
2:
Ekadashi
Shradh
October
3:
Dwadashi
Shradh
October
4:
Trayodashi
Shradh
October
5:
Chaturdashi
Shradh
October
6:
Sarva
Pitru
Amavasya
Shradh