All about Pitru Pujan for Shraddh Paksha & Pitru Paksha
The Pitru Paksha (or Shraddh Paksha) period in Hinduism is one of the important days to offer tribute, remember, and honour the ancestors or forefathers. During Pitru Paksha, families express their love and gratitude for their ancestors by reciting prayers, performing Pitru Pujan ceremonies and rituals along with Tarpan, Pind Daan and offering charity and food to them. People believe that ancestors must be remembered and cared with devotion in the family, so offeringShraddhas to them is a necessary responsibility. For the year 2026, it is expected to be observed from September 27-October 10, the last day of which being the Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
What is Pitru Paksha?
The Pitru Paksha refers to a period of ancestry remembrance in the Hindu tradition. The word 'Pitru' represents ancestors or fathers and 'Paksha' refers to lunar fortnight. These days, devotion is offered to one's ancestors as per their customary rites and traditions as well as per the Tithi of their loved ones.
Generally, Shraddhas are conducted sincerely with utmost respect to them, giving them spiritual nourishment.
However, these observances are essentially meant for ancestors such as fathers, forefathers, ancestors, grandparents, etc and prayers are done in their name to grant them peace in afterlife. These ceremonies may include Tarpan, Pind Daan, Shraddh, Brahmin Bhojan, Annadaan etc in different customs based on region and tradition followed in different families; with chanting of particular mantras prescribed for them by their guiding pandits.
Why is Pitru Pujan necessary on Shraddh Paksha?
Ancestors always have a very strong influence on families and cultures in Hindu traditions. Pitru Paksha is one of those dates where families are supposed to perform ancestral rites and express their due respect to those who are before them. These special dates are marked not just for performing rites, but also for contemplating about family heritages and traditions, ethics, moral values and sentiments behind relationships.
It is during this time of the year that families offer Pitru Pujan services or arrangements accordingly depending on their family traditions and by chanting proper mantras and offering worship as per prescribed rituals for their forefathers under the guidance of competent priests.
These Pitru Pujan services are offered primarily with an intention to pay respect to deceased ancestors and take blessings for the wellbeing of their families in all aspects possible.
Some of the Important Rituals during Pitru Paksha are:
Tarpan - It refers to offering water mixed with certain materials as an offering to ancestors while remembering them by reciting mantras.
Pind Daan - A symbolic and devotional rite which includes making symbolic offerings to ancestors during ancestral rites.
Shraddha - A puja ceremony which can be performed as per traditional practices and family customs according to particular Tithi.
Brahmin Bhojan/Annadaan – Many people feed Brahmins, cows, birds or people in need with food.
The final day is called Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya, which is to be performed on last day to remember all ancestors whose specific Shraddh Tithi is not known and ancestors who have left family members with whom he or she had issues.
How to conduct Pitru Puja?
Pitru Puja must be performed by individuals in accordance with their traditions and customs followed in the family along with appropriate Tithi, Sankalp, offerings, and mantras to be used for the Puja ceremony. However, families must consult a capable priest for proper guidance when conducting Pitru Puja. Pitru Pujan services by performing puja with priests in sacred cities if you are unable to travel to sacred destinations for the pitru pujan and rites is a way where pitru worship, Tarpan, Pind Daan, Tripindi Shraddha ceremony etc is possible by professional and traditional pandits. Vedaangam is known to offer a wide range of Pitru-related puja services such as Tarpan, Pind Daan and Tripindi Shraddha ceremony in various sacred places like Varanasi, Gaya and Haridwar andPrayagraj with great help of their pandits.
Benefits to attain after conducting Pitru Paksha rituals and Pitru Puja?
According to Hindu beliefs, the devotees can honor and gratify all their pitru(s) and fulfill ancestral obligations through Pitru Paksha Shraddha, worship and prayers. This also helps in remembering the ancestors and performing the rites together as a family. These rituals and rites help humanity become humble, teach them about Charity, respect and dignity.
By adhering to their religious customs with respect and devout heart, the devotees aim for peace and divine blessings for their whole family.
However, it is important to remember that beliefs regarding the procedure may differ among diverse community regions. Thus it's always advised to seek help and guidance from your family priest to obtain a right idea about your needs.
Read more: Telugu Pandit For Pinddaan in Gaya Varanasi | Tripindi Shradha in Gaya
Book Pitru Puja with Vedaangam
Vedaangam makes an offer for traditional Puja and Priests for all devotees going through the period of Pitru Paksha or Shraddh Paksha. All devotees will receive the benefit of connecting to an experienced and learned Pandit for their specific type of Pitru puja and their ceremony in some special sacred cities such as, Gays, Varanasi, Haridwar, Prayagraj by Vedic priest's with all arrangements and other Pitru services, including Tarpan, Pind Daan and Tripindi Shraddhas. With their Vedaangam Pitru Pujan services booked, each devotee can complete their traditions, at home, for their ancestors and attain peace by taking the knowledge of priests.