Pitru Paksha 2026 is an important period for performing Shraddha, Tarpan and Pind Daan in remembrance of departed ancestors. In 2026, Purnima Shraddha falls on Saturday, 26 September 2026, while the main Pitru Paksha tithi sequence begins with Pratipada on Sunday, 27 September 2026 and concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on Saturday, 10 October 2026. The distinction between Purnima Shraddha and the main Pratipada-to-Amavasya sequence is important when checking the Pitru Paksha 2026 date.
The most important rule is that Shraddha is performed according to the tithi of the ancestor’s death, not simply according to the English calendar date. For this reason, knowing the correct Shraddha Tithi is more important than simply counting days from the beginning of Pitru Paksha. The source calculation used for this guide follows the North Indian Purnimanta tradition and the Aparahna-based Shraddha rule.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Start and End Date
There are two dates that are important when people search for the Pitru Paksha 2026 start date:
Purnima Shraddha: 26 September 2026, Saturday
Main Pitru Paksha begins: 27 September 2026, Sunday
Pitru Paksha ends: 10 October 2026, Saturday
Sarva Pitru Amavasya: 10 October 2026, Saturday
Therefore, for practical purposes, the complete Shraddha observance calendar is generally shown from 26 September to 10 October 2026, with Purnima Shraddha on 26 September and Pratipada beginning the main fortnight on 27 September.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Shraddh Date List
The following is the main Pitru Paksha 2026 Shraddh Tithi List for the North Indian Purnimanta calculation:
| Date | Day | Shraddha Tithi |
| 26 September 2026 | Saturday | Purnima Shraddha |
| 27 September 2026 | Sunday | Pratipada Shraddha |
| 28 September 2026 | Monday | Dwitiya Shraddha |
| 29 September 2026 | Tuesday | Tritiya Shraddha |
| 30 September 2026 | Wednesday | Chaturthi Shraddha |
| 30 September 2026 | Wednesday | Panchami Shraddha |
| 1 October 2026 | Thursday | Shashthi Shraddha |
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Saptami Shraddha |
| 3 October 2026 | Saturday | Ashtami Shraddha |
| 4 October 2026 | Sunday | Navami / Matru Navami |
| 5 October 2026 | Monday | Dashami Shraddha |
| 6 October 2026 | Tuesday | Ekadashi Shraddha |
| 7 October 2026 | Wednesday | Dwadashi / Magha Shraddha |
| 8 October 2026 | Thursday | Trayodashi Shraddha |
| 9 October 2026 | Friday | Chaturdashi Shraddha |
| 10 October 2026 | Saturday | Sarva Pitru Amavasya |
Chaturthi and Panchami Shraddha on the same date, 30 September 2026, resulting in sixteen Shraddha tithis across fifteen calendar dates.
Why Is Shraddha Performed According to Tithi?
A common mistake is to use the English date of death directly.
For annual Shraddha, the important information is the Hindu lunar tithi on which the ancestor passed away. The same tithi is observed during Pitru Paksha.
For example, if an ancestor passed away on Saptami Tithi, their Pitru Paksha Shraddha is performed on Saptami Shraddha, regardless of whether the English date of death was in a different month or year.
If you know only the English date, the date should first be converted into the corresponding Hindu tithi using the date, approximate time and place of death.
What if the death tithi is unknown?
When the exact death tithi is not known, Sarva Pitru Amavasya is traditionally used for performing Shraddha for ancestors whose tithi cannot be determined. In 2026, Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on 10 October 2026.
Why Do Some Pitru Paksha Calendars Show Different Dates?
People searching for Pitru Paksha 2026 dates may find different calendars showing slightly different dates.
The reason is that Shraddha is linked with the tithi prevailing during Aparahna Kaal, rather than simply using the tithi at sunrise. A lunar tithi can begin or end at different times of the day, and this can result in more than one Shraddha being assigned to the same Gregorian date.
This is particularly important in 2026, when Chaturthi and Panchami Shraddha both occur on 30 September.
For the exact Shraddha Muhurat, the local sunrise and sunset should be considered because Aparahna timings vary by location.
Important Shraddha Days in Pitru Paksha 2026:
Purnima Shraddha -26 September 2026
Purnima Shraddha is observed for ancestors whose death occurred on Purnima Tithi. It also marks the beginning of the annual Shraddha observance associated with this period.
Matru Navami 2026 – 4 October 2026
Matru Navami, also called Matri Navami, falls on 4 October 2026.
This day is especially associated with the remembrance of the mother and certain married women ancestors according to traditional practice.
This makes “Matru Navami 2026” and “Matri Navami 2026” useful secondary keywords for this article.
Chaturdashi Shraddha- 9 October 2026
Chaturdashi Shraddha is traditionally associated with ancestors whose death occurred through sudden or unnatural circumstances such as accident, weapon, drowning, fire or similar causes.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026- 10 October 2026
Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026 falls on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
It is the concluding day of Pitru Paksha and is especially important for families who:
- do not know the exact death tithi of an ancestor
- could not perform Shraddha on the appropriate tithi
- wish to perform Shraddha for multiple ancestors
The reference article identifies this as the concluding observance for the fortnight.
Pitru Paksha Shraddh Vidhi
Shraddha should ideally be performed according to the procedure followed by the family’s tradition and under the guidance of a qualified priest.
The main steps generally include:
1. Take a proper bath and wear clean clothes
The karta prepares for the Shraddha by bathing and wearing clean, simple clothing.
2. Sankalpa
The sankalpa includes details such as the gotra, the karta’s name and the name and relationship of the ancestor for whom the Shraddha is being performed.
3. Tarpan
Water mixed with black sesame (til) is offered to the ancestors while following the prescribed posture and direction.
4. Pind Daan
Pindas are prepared according to the prescribed method and offered as part of the Shraddha ritual.
5. Panchabali
Offerings are made as prescribed to the cow, crow, dog, devas and other traditional recipients before the main meal.
6. Brahmin Bhojan and Dakshina
Brahmin bhojan and dakshina form an important part of the traditional Shraddha procedure.
What Is the Best Time for Shraddha?
Shraddha is traditionally performed during Aparahna Kaal, the afternoon period prescribed for Pitru karma.
The exact Aparahna time is not the same in every city because it depends on local sunrise and sunset. Therefore, families should check the local Panchang before fixing the exact Muhurat.
For Varanasi, the Vedaangam reference has calculated the Shraddha windows using the local sunrise and sunset for Kashi.
Pitru Paksha Tarpan at Home
Families who cannot arrange the complete Shraddha ceremony may perform traditional Tarpan at home according to their family practice.
The basic procedure described in the reference includes:
- Sitting facing south
- Using water and black sesame
- Taking the ancestor’s name and gotra
- Offering water through the prescribed Pitru Tirtha
- Completing the offering according to the family’s tradition
The complete Shraddha, including Sankalpa, Pind Daan and other ritual components, is better performed with a trained priest when the family does not know the procedure.
Where Can Shraddha and Pind Daan Be Performed?
Shraddha can be performed at home according to one’s family tradition.
However, many families visit traditional pilgrimage centres for ancestral rites.
Gaya
Gaya is one of the most prominent pilgrimage centres associated with Pind Daan and ancestral rites. Vishnupad and Akshayavat are among the principal locations traditionally associated with these rituals.
Varanasi
Varanasi, or Kashi, has a strong association with ancestral rites. The reference article specifically mentions Pishach Mochan for Tripindi Shraddha and the Ganga ghats for Tarpan.
Read more: Pind Daan Puja Services in Gaya
Frequently Asked Questions About Pitru Paksha 2026
When is Pitru Paksha 2026?
Pitru Paksha’s main tithi sequence begins on 27 September 2026 with Pratipada Shraddha and ends on 10 October 2026 with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Purnima Shraddha falls on 26 September 2026 and is commonly shown alongside the Pitru Paksha calendar.
When is Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026?
Sarva Pitru Amavasya is on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
When is Matru Navami in 2026?
Matru Navami is on Sunday, 4 October 2026.
Which day should I perform Shraddha for my father?
The Shraddha should generally be performed according to the tithi on which your father passed away, not simply the English date.
For example, according to the 2026 calendar, Saptami Shraddha falls on 2 October 2026.
What if I do not know my ancestor’s death tithi?
Sarva Pitru Amavasya on 10 October 2026 is traditionally used when the specific death tithi is unknown.
Which day is for an ancestor who died in an accident?
Chaturdashi Shraddha on 9 October 2026 is traditionally associated with deaths caused by accident and other sudden or unnatural circumstances.
Can Shraddha be performed at home?
Yes, ancestral rites can be performed at home according to the family’s tradition. For the complete Shraddha procedure, families may seek the guidance of a qualified priest.
What is the difference between Mahalaya and Pitru Paksha?
Mahalaya Paksha is another name used for Pitru Paksha in some traditions. In Bengal, the term Mahalaya is particularly associated with the Amavasya that concludes the period and marks the transition toward Devi Paksha.
Is the Shraddha time the same in every city?
No. The tithi transition is calculated in IST, but the actual Aparahna period depends on local sunrise and sunset. Therefore, the exact Shraddha Muhurat should be checked for the city where the ritual will be performed.
Plan Your Pitru Puja During Pitru Paksha 2026
Pitru Paksha is the time to remember and honour departed family members through traditional Shraddha, Tarpan and Pind Daan.
Vedaangam provides assistance for Shraddha, Pitru Puja, Tarpan, Pind Daan and Tripindi Shraddha according to the required tithi and ritual tradition.
For families who cannot travel to Kashi or other pilgrimage centres, ritual arrangements may also be coordinated with Vedaangam.
