Hindu tradition holds that our ancestors (pitrus) continue to bless the family, and that we remember and nourish them through tarpan (offering of water with sesame) and shraddha (rituals and food offered with faith).
Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya Paksha) is the fortnight of the waning moon before Navaratri. Shraddha for each ancestor is done on the tithi of their passing, and the last day — Mahalaya (Sarva Pitru) Amavasya — is for all ancestors, including those whose tithi is not known.
Every Amavasya
Each new-moon day is also dedicated to the pitrus. The Amavasya calculator gives the dates for your city with the recommended tarpan time.
The right time: Aparahna
Pitru karya is done in Aparahna, the afternoon part of the day, while the tithi prevails. Mornings are for devas; afternoons are for the pitrus.
A simple tarpan
- Bathe and wear clean clothes; face south.
- Hold water mixed with black sesame (til) and darbha grass.
- Offer it three times for each ancestor, saying their name and gotra.
- Feed a cow, crows or the needy, and give food or clothes in charity.
Pind daan and pilgrimages
Gaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Rameswaram are the most sacred places for pind daan. If you cannot travel, temples now perform tarpan and pind daan in your ancestors’ names and send photos and video.
See online Pitru Paksha pujas at sacred tirthas, or book a pandit for shraddha at home.