Pitrapaksh 

Pitrapaksha (Homage to ancestors) occurs in September/October when sun transitions from northern to southern hemisphere.  this may be a festival but it gives one an oportunity to remember and honor them as well as see their presence. 

While growing up, I watched elders performing rituals during this period.  There was no opportunity to understand the meaning behind rituals and participation was mostly prohibited to females.  As my loss of loved ones kept growing, I felt a great need to have a set of rituals to honor, to remember and to acknowledge their presence in me.  People perform elaborate offerings and rituals. I do not know proper traditional way. Thus I perform some simple rituals based on my understanding of the tradition.  It is developing every year.  At this point, I do following: 

It is believed that three generations stay in pitralok and need nourishing.  Black sesame seeds are offered because they are nutritious and full of energy.  It was found even in indus valley civilization in prehistoric era.  

• I am not sure when the stream of life began for me.  so I've one big rock dedicated all unknow ancestors from my mother's and father's side. My father created a family tree showing 12 generations before me but I only know of 2 or a little about the 3 generations.

•  consciously i try to find which part of them living in me.  some i want to ask forgiveness, some i want to say i love you and some i want to forgive.

• 16th day is for all ancestors and it is always no moon night.  begin the day by setting up intention to spend that day with one of my lost loved one and remember their stories/memories and feel their presence.

• After shower, I go outside near my ancestor area with water and black sesame seeds.

• simpler version is: ॐ सर्व पितृ देवाय नमः। I honor all my ancestors and ask for their blessings.

• First, “I request you to please turn your attention towards me.”  Om pitr ganaye vidmahe, jagad dhaarineye dhimahi, Tanno pitrh prachodayaat. ॐ पितृगणाय विद्महे जगत धारिणी धीमहि तन्नो पितृो प्रचोदयात्   

• Then I put one stone for one person or several stones for a group. (I've lost so many that 15 days are not enough)

• “I invite you to accept my offering”  “OM AAGACHHANNTU ME PITRh EMAM GRIHANTI JALAANJALIM” 

• Offer black sesame seeds and water facing east but offering should fall in a plate towards south by tilted palm and thumb.

• After offering request “Please now proceed to the Vishnu-loka” ॐ सर्व पितृ देवाय नमः… तृप्तयामिदं तिलोदकं –वा– जलाञ्जलिम्… तस्मै स्वधा नमः… तस्मै स्वधा नमः… तस्मै स्वधा नमः  I bow to all the ancestral deities.  I offer this water mixed with black sesame seeds (Tilodakam) or this palmful of water (Jalaanjali) for your satisfaction. I offer my salutations along with the 'Swadha' (the specific sacrificial offering meant for ancestors) 

• Express feelings/emotions of missing, forgiveness, admiration and thank them.  Close with gayatri mantra or mahamrityunjay or om namah shivay (11x)

· Last day hawan-on maha maha pitra swaha. Om mahamaha mata swaha,