Pitru Paksha 2024 — 16 Shraddha Dates पितृ पक्ष 2024
16-day ancestor worship period from Bhadrapada Purnima to Mahalaya Amavasya
16-Day Shraddha Calendar — 2024
| Day | Date | Tithi | Shraddha Name | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 Sep | Pratipada | Pratipada Shraddha | For ancestors who died on Pratipada (1st tithi) |
| 2 | 18 Sep | Dwitiya | Dwitiya Shraddha | For ancestors who died on Dwitiya |
| 3 | 19 Sep | Tritiya | Tritiya Shraddha | For ancestors who died on Tritiya |
| 4 | 20 Sep | Chaturthi | Chaturthi Shraddha (Bharani Shraddha) | For ancestors who died on Chaturthi; also Bharani Shraddha (when Moon in Bharani nakshatra) |
| 5 | 21 Sep | Panchami | Panchami Shraddha | For ancestors; also Avidhava Navami in some traditions |
| 6 | 22 Sep | Shashthi | Shashthi Shraddha | For ancestors who died on Shashthi |
| 7 | 23 Sep | Saptami | Saptami Shraddha | For ancestors who died on Saptami |
| 8 | 24 Sep | Ashtami | Ashtami Shraddha | For ancestors; potent for women devotees |
| 9 | 25 Sep | Navami | Avidhava Navami / Matra Navami | Specifically for ancestors of married women — mothers, mother-in-law, sisters who died as suhagins (married, before husband) |
| 10 | 26 Sep | Dashami | Dashami Shraddha | For ancestors who died on Dashami |
| 11 | 27 Sep | Ekadashi | Ekadashi Shraddha (Indira Ekadashi) | Indira Ekadashi falls on this day — combined Vishnu-Pitru power; greatly meritorious |
| 12 | 28 Sep | Dwadashi | Dwadashi Shraddha (Sannyasi Shraddha) | Specifically for sannyasi (renunciate) ancestors and gurus |
| 13 | 29 Sep | Trayodashi | Trayodashi Shraddha (Magha Shraddha) | For ancestors who died on Trayodashi; also for children who died young |
| 14 | 30 Sep | Chaturdashi | Chaturdashi Shraddha (Ghata Chaturdashi) | For ancestors who died UNNATURALLY — accidents, suicide, violence, untimely death |
| 15 | 01 Oct | Amavasya (Sarvapitri) | Mahalaya Amavasya / Sarva Pitri Amavasya | MOST IMPORTANT day. For ALL ancestors collectively, especially those whose tithi is unknown or who died unnaturally. Mandatory if shraddha hasn't been done on the specific tithi. |
What is Pitru Paksha?
Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्ष) is the 16-day period of ancestor worship, falling in Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha to Ashwin Krishna Amavasya (Sep-Oct). Each day corresponds to a specific shraddha tithi — devotees perform tarpan, pind daan, and shraddha rituals for ancestors who passed on that lunar day. Mahalaya Amavasya (the final day) is the most important — when all ancestors collectively are honored, including those whose tithi is unknown or who died unnaturally.
पितृ पक्ष पूर्वजों की पूजा का 16-दिवसीय काल है, जो भाद्रपद कृष्ण पक्ष से अश्विन कृष्ण अमावस्या (सितंबर-अक्टूबर) तक चलता है।
Pitru Paksha is one of the holiest periods in the Hindu calendar — entirely dedicated to honoring ancestors (pitru). The Mahabharata describes it as the time when, due to a curse, departed souls cannot accept food or water unless their living descendants offer it through specific rituals. The 16 days each correspond to a tithi — devotees perform shraddha on the tithi matching their ancestor's death anniversary. The final day, Mahalaya Amavasya, honors all ancestors collectively. Performing Pitru Paksha rituals is considered the highest dharma — neglecting it is believed to cause Pitru Dosha, manifesting as career obstacles, family discord, child-related issues, and financial losses.
Shraddha Vidhi (Procedure)
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1
Pre-Dawn Bath
Wake before sunrise. Take a thorough bath with intent. Ideally bathe at a sacred river or holy site (Gaya, Pushkar, Triveni Sangam, Haridwar). At home, add Ganga jal to bath water. Wear clean white or saffron clothing.
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2
Sankalpa
Sit facing south (direction of Yama, lord of ancestors). Take sankalpa (vow): 'On this [tithi name], I perform shraddha for [ancestor name], [gotra], [relation], for their satisfaction and welfare in pitru-loka.' Hold til, water, and akshat in palm; release while saying 'Om Pitribhyo Namah'.
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3
Tarpan
Mix water with til (sesame), barley, white flowers in a copper vessel. Stand facing south, holding water in joined palms. Recite ancestor names — paternal 3 generations + maternal 3 generations. Pour the water from joined palms onto the ground (3 times for each ancestor). Conclude with: 'Sarva Pitribhyo Namah' (Salutations to all ancestors).
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4
Pind Daan
Cook rice with til, ghee, and milk into kheer. Form into pind (small balls). Offer pinds to ancestors invoking each one by name. Place pinds on kusha grass or banana leaf. After offering, dispose by feeding to a cow, immersing in flowing water, or placing under a peepal tree.
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5
Brahmin Bhojan + Daan
Invite a learned Brahmin family for a satvik meal. Feed them with respect — they represent ancestors at this meal. Offer dakshina (money/cloth) after. Donations of til, white cloth, rice, water-pots, and umbrellas are traditional pitru-dana items.
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6
Five Beings Worship (Pancha Bali)
Before the family eats, offer food to: (1) a cow, (2) a dog, (3) a crow (representing ancestors), (4) ants, (5) a Brahmin/guest. Only after these five are fed can the family eat. The crow especially is believed to be the ancestors' messenger.
Pitru Paksha Rules
- Avoid all auspicious work (weddings, griha pravesh, mundan, new ventures, signing contracts) during Pitru Paksha
- Avoid buying new clothes, gold, vehicles, or starting major purchases
- Eat satvik food only — no onion, garlic, masoor dal, brinjal, mushroom (these are considered tamasic/inauspicious for shraddha)
- No haircut, no shaving, no nail-cutting (some traditions allow only on the family's specific shraddha day)
- Do not eat at others' homes — eat only at home or with respected elders
- Do not refuse anyone who comes to your door for food or water during Pitru Paksha — they may be ancestors in disguise
- Avoid sexual activity
- Wear cotton clothing; avoid synthetic
Mantras
Donation Items
- Til (sesame seeds) — most important pitru-dana item
- White cloth (dhoti, sari)
- Rice (raw and cooked)
- Water pot (kalash) with water
- Umbrella, footwear (chappals)
- Mustard oil
- Iron items (iron pots, lamps)
- Salt
- Money / dakshina
- Cow donation (Godan) — highest form
FAQ
When is Pitru Paksha 2026?
Pitru Paksha 2026 falls from 25 September (Bhadrapada Purnima) to Mahalaya Amavasya on 10 October 2026. The 16-day period covers all 16 shraddha tithis.
What is Mahalaya Amavasya?
Mahalaya Amavasya is the final and most important day of Pitru Paksha — when ALL ancestors collectively are honored, including those whose tithi of death is unknown, those who died unnaturally, and forgotten ancestors. Shraddha on Mahalaya is mandatory if you haven't performed it on your ancestor's specific tithi.
What is Shraddha?
Shraddha (श्राद्ध — 'offering with faith') is the Vedic ritual of honoring deceased ancestors through tarpan (water libation), pind daan (rice ball offering), and feeding Brahmins. It is performed annually on the ancestor's death tithi during Pitru Paksha — and ideally also at sacred sites like Gaya, Pushkar, Triveni Sangam, and Haridwar.
Can I do Pitru Paksha shraddha at home?
Yes — home shraddha is fully valid if performed with the right intent and procedure. The classical rituals (sankalpa, tarpan, pind daan, Brahmin feeding, pancha bali) can all be done at home. For added merit, performing at Gaya or other sacred sites is recommended once in a lifetime.
What is Pitru Dosha?
Pitru Dosha (पितृ दोष) is the karmic affliction caused by neglected ancestors. It manifests as: career obstacles, financial losses, family discord, child-related problems, recurring health issues, and unexplained delays. Performing Pitru Paksha shraddha annually is the primary remedy.
Why feed crows during Pitru Paksha?
In Hindu tradition, crows are believed to be messengers of Yama (god of death) and ancestors. Feeding them during Pitru Paksha is considered as offering food directly to ancestors. If a crow accepts the offering, it's believed your ancestors are pleased.
What food is forbidden during Pitru Paksha?
Avoid: onion, garlic, masoor dal (red lentils), brinjal/eggplant, mushroom, alcohol, meat, eggs. Eat satvik vegetarian food. Many devotees also avoid leftover food, eating outside home, and starting any new ventures or purchases during the 16 days.