Pitru Paksha Information & Rituals

The word Shradh has the origins in the ancient language of India – Sanskrit. It signifies any sort of act done with reverence. In Hindu traditions Shradh ritual is performed in Pitru Paksha to pay homage to the departed souls called Pitrus. Thus the descendants shower their gratitude to the 3 generations of their ancestors. This ritual is performed for the dead parents – mother and father on their death anniversary according to the Hindu calendar. This performance goes on in Pitru Paksha which is also known as shradh Paksha and this goes an for a fortnight.

Significance of Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha 2018: All you need to know about 'Shraddha' this year; check dates, time and rituals

In this Pitru Paksha there is the tradition to donate money and materials as well as feeding a Brahmin and the cow and birds it is believed the donated articles reach the pitrus living in their abode at heaven. Hindu scriptures narrate about the debits in a human life called Rinas. They are known as Dev Rina, Guru Rina, Pitru Rina, It means one owes a lot to the deities, their spiritual leaders and to the parents. Parents give birth to the progeny and inside the veins of a human the blood flows from their parents. Parents rear up the child. So it is the duty of a human to pay respect during the time they are alive and after their deaths as well.

The Hindu scriptures describe the presence of 84 particles in a human being from father’s side. These genetic qualities are derived not only from the father but are from 7 generations back. But predominantly 3 generations have more influence. Thus in Pitru Paksha 3 generations – father, grandfather and great grandfather are more revered. Thus the offerings are done in this time goes to these generations.

There is a popular Puranic story about Pitru Paksha that goes like this – After the demise when Karna went to the Yamlok he was given jewels gold to feed. Karna asked for food in return he was told that he did donations entire his life of such objects, but he never did anything for Pitras any time. He was suggested to do that and he returned back to the earth to satisfy his Pitras in the Pitru Paksha. Thus he was given good food on his return. This instance emphasize or the Pitru Paksha rituals in human life.

What is shradh?

There are 12 types of Shraddh, know about all | NewsTrack English 1 NT

The Hindu mythology believes that the ancestor goes to the Pitru Lok after death. This Lok is located beyond the Moon in between the Earth and the Paradise. This is ruled by Yam, the god of death. Thus the ancestors before going to the paradise reside in the yamlok. For a certain period of 16 days land down on the earth planet to know about the well being of their descendants. These souls come to Martuyalok in minute forms or deceptive forms such as birds, animals or any beggar etc. Thus we should not forbid gratuities to any beggar or the needy and should feed animals such as cows, dogs, ants and birds like crow.

The descendants do tarpan to appease the ancestors and have their blessings. Harvansh Purana tells that Bhishma told the importance of Shradh to Yushidthir and emphasised that those who do Shradha get ultimate satisfaction in the Matralok and Parlok, by indulging in the rituals of Sharadha one gets his wishes fulfilled such as procreation, interest in the religion and theology etc. Shradh Paksha is celebrated in second half month of Bhadrapad which normally occurs in September according to the Gregorian calendar.During the fortnight when the shradha karma is done no auspicious (shubha) act is done in the Hindu families, the people abstain from marriages, new ventures, inaugurations etc

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Pitru Paksha 2021 Important dates

This year according to Hindu calendar Pitru Paksha is going to start from September 20 and will culminate on 6th Oct ’2021.

Below you find the Shradh Calendar 2021

Shradh Days Dates
Purnima Shradh 20th September
Pratipada Shradh 21st September
Durtiya Shradh 22nd September
Tritiya Shradh 23rd September
Chaturthi Shradh 24th September
Panchami Shradh 25th September
NIL 26th September
Sashthi Shradh 27th September
Saptami Shradh 28th September
Astami Shradh 29th September
Navami Shradh 30th September
Dasami Shradh 1st October
Ekadasi Shradh 2nd October
Dwadasi Shradh 3rd October
Triyodasi Shradh 4th October
Chaturdashi Shradh 5th October

 

Shradh Vidhi

Pitri Paksha Shraddh 2019 Date And Muhurat In Panchang News - 13 सितंबर पूर्णिमा से शुरू होंगे श्राद्ध, जानें तिथि अनुसार किस दिन कौन सा श्राद्ध | Patrika News

Often many people are not aware of Pind Daan Vidhi and timings. This ritual should be done under the guidance of a knowledgeable Pind Daan Pandit. This should be done on the particular death anniversary from early morning to 12:30 PM. The essential ingredients include honey, milk, black seasame seeds, rice pudding and clothes should be donated. If you include basil leaves and Ganges Water it would appease Pitras. The Pitras should be invoked in a hygienic place and the yajna should be done in South East direction. At the culmination of the rituals the Brahmans should be fed in the South facing direction.

Pind Daan in India

The Hindus in India and Nepal visit visit many pilgrimage places during the Pitru Paksha. Such as Haridwar, Nashik, Kurukhetra, Varanasi, Gaya Ji, Soroji etc. In such places they find their Pandas for the Shradh rituals. These pandas maintain genealogy registers with them and they tell about the family tree and about the blood relations easily.

Gaya Pind Daan

Pitra Paksh 2018: Gaya Pind Daan - पितृपक्ष 2018: यहां हर साल लगता है पितृपक्ष मेला, देशभर से हजारों की संख्या में आते है श्रृद्धालु | Patrika News

Gaya is a famous religious place for the Hindus and close to it is an another twin city Bodhgaya which is famous among the Buddhist religion. To venerate the ancestors people throng various religious places in India and do Pind daan and perform religious sacraments. Among such places for Pind daan and Shradhkarm Gaya tops the list. Hindus not only from India but from every part of the globe come here to pay their homage to their dear ones. The departed soul is liberated from the life and death cycle and gets eternal bliss. It is conceived that the ancestors ascend the ladder to the Swarga(heaven).

Story of Phalgu River in Gaya

Vayu Purana mentions the pious Phalgu River and tells that by doing Tarpan and Pind dan on the banks of this river frees the soul and it gets salvation. This legendary river is a tributary of the Ganges and it is believed that by the curse of Sitaji it flows down the Earth.

Pretshila

Close to Gaya there is a famous religious place called Pretshila. Which literally signify the stone of the Pret. It is believed that the ancestors get easy Pind daan over here close to the main rock there are other stones with holes. It is believed that the souls come through these holes. Thus doing Pind daan in prêt shila by black sesame, Kheer and barley makes the soul freed from the cycle of rebirth.

Pretshila Hill - Gaya: Get the Detail of Pretshila Hill on Times of India Travel

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Vishnu Pad Temple

This temple is in Gaya and is one famous places to visit in Pind daan ritual. There is a Puranic story which tells that there was a devil called Gayasur who tortured the saints and devtas. Under the request of the oppressed Lord Vishnu killed this tyrant by the thrust of his club and put a stone on his head. Still it is believed that you can see the stone(pretshila) put by Lord Vishnu in this temple. Thus Gaya is considered a place for liberation.

Things to Know for Gaya Pind Daan  

  • Pind Daan ritual in Gaya can be done any time of the day or night.
  • You can do it for any accidental death, unnatural death or death due to a fatal disease -for the easy salvation.
  • The Pind is made from the flour of barley, wheat mixed with powder.
  • Pind daan is done in the South direction as it is believed that Pitralok exists in the upper layer of the moon.

Dr Atul Kumar Singh Parmar

Dr Atul is a graduate of R.B.S College Agra after the graduation did his Masters in Arts (English) Later pursued Bachelor of Education and Doctorate in English fro Agra University Agra. He has been been engaged in the tourism trade since 1995 , Worked as Govt Of India approved tour escort till 2011, He is promoter of S.A.M Tours and Travels. He is an avid traveler and travel writer with expertise in tours and travels, history, literature, architecture, social and political.

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