Pitru Paksha 2028 — 16 Shraddha Dates पितृ पक्ष 2028

16-Day Shraddha Calendar — 2028

Shraddha Vidhi (Procedure)

1. 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.

2. 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'.

3. 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).

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

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