Karmandir करमंदिरहिंदीGet the app

Pitru Paksha begins

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
ShareTelegramXFacebook
Pitru Paksha begins

Why it is celebrated

The dark fortnight of Ashwin, from the day after Bhadrapad Purnima to Sarva Pitru Amavasya, is called Pitru Paksha. Families remember their ancestors with love and perform shraddh, tarpan and daan on each ancestor's tithi. It is a time to thank those because of whom we are here.

The story

A well-known folk story is linked to the Mahabharata. Karna, famous for his generosity, gave away gold, silver and jewels all his life. When he reached heaven, he was served gold and jewels instead of food.

Surprised, Karna asked Indra Dev why. Indra Dev said, “All your life you gave gold and silver, but you never offered food and water in the name of your ancestors.”

Karna humbly replied that he had not even known who his ancestors were, so the mistake had happened. He was then allowed to return to earth for a few days. Karna came back, performed shraddh for his ancestors, gave food and water in their name, and then returned to heaven.

It is believed that those days came to be known as Pitru Paksha. The story reminds us that along with giving, it is just as important to remember our elders and ancestors with respect.

Puja vidhi

  1. Find each ancestor's tithi (the lunar day they passed away) and perform their shraddh on that day.
  2. After a morning bath, face south and offer tarpan: water with black sesame (til), barley and kusha grass.
  3. Cook a simple sattvic meal at midday and offer pind daan as your family does it.
  4. Set aside a portion of the food each for the cow, dog, crow, the devtas and ants (panchbali).
  5. Feed a brahmin or someone in need with respect, and give daan as you are able.
  6. Fold your hands, pray for your ancestors and remember the good they did.

Food

Kheer, puri, a simple sabzi and the dishes the ancestors loved; many homes cook without onion and garlic in these days.

Wishes to send

  • This Pitru Paksha, we bow to our ancestors with love. May their blessings stay with our family.

  • Pitru Paksha is a time to remember those because of whom we are here. Respectful pranam to all our ancestors.

  • Shraddh done with love is true remembrance. May all our ancestors be at peace.

  • The values our ancestors gave us are our greatest treasure. Our heartfelt salutations to them this Pitru Paksha.

  • Let us give food and water in these days and remember our elders with love.

  • Pitru devo bhava: honour your father and forefathers as divine. Our loving tribute to all our ancestors this Pitru Paksha.

For your status

  • Bowing to our ancestors; we are because of them.

  • Shraddh begins with shraddha: faith.

  • A lamp and a prayer in memory of our ancestors.

Festivals