{"id":5300,"date":"2026-10-08T17:05:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T17:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/?p=5300"},"modified":"2026-10-08T17:05:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T17:05:43","slug":"pitru-paksha-shraddh-rules-tithi-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/pitru-paksha-shraddh-rules-tithi-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Pitru Paksha Shraddh Rules: Which Tithi, What Time and Who Can Perform It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pitru Paksha Shraddh Rules<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shraddh is the act of offering food, water and prayers to our departed ancestors with faith (shraddha), and Pitru Paksha is the fortnight set aside every year for it. Yet every year families ask the same questions: Can we do Mahalaya Shraddh in the first year after a death? On which tithi should a mother who died as a suhagan be remembered? What if we do not know the date of death? This guide explains the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vedaangam.com\/pitra-puja\"><strong>Pitru Paksha Shraddh<\/strong><\/a> rules in a clear sequence, based on the Puranas, the Dharmashastra digests and the living practice of Kashi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A note before you read:<\/strong> Shraddh rules differ slightly between regions and family traditions (kula parampara). Where this article mentions a regional custom, it says so. For your own family&#8217;s ritual, always confirm the details with your family purohit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Shraddh and When Is Pitru Paksha?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pitru Paksha is the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) that begins right after Bhadrapad Purnima and ends on Sarva Pitru Amavasya. It is also called Mahalaya Paksha or Shraddh Paksha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The month name changes depending on which calendar you follow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>Calendar system<\/td><td>Where it is followed<\/td><td>Name of the Pitru Paksha fortnight<\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Purnimanta (month ends on Purnima)<\/td><td>North India: UP, Bihar, MP, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttarakhand<\/td><td>Ashwin Krishna Paksha<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Amanta (month ends on Amavasya)<\/td><td>Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra, South India<\/td><td>Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both refer to the same fifteen days. Many older Marathi and Gujarati texts write &#8220;Bhadrapad Krishna Navami&#8221; for Avidhava Navami, while a North Indian Panchang will print &#8220;Ashwin Krishna Navami&#8221;. In this article we follow the North Indian Purnimanta system and mention the Amanta name in brackets where useful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shraddh itself is not limited to Pitru Paksha. It is performed on the annual death anniversary (tithi), on every Amavasya, on Sankranti, during eclipses and at tirthas such as Gaya, Kashi and Prayag. Pitru Paksha is simply the most important annual window, when Shraddh for all ancestors together is considered most fruitful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Should We Perform Shraddh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shraddh is the way a householder repays Pitru Rin, the debt owed to ancestors. The Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajurveda says every person is born with three debts: to the Rishis, to the Devas and to the Pitris. The debt to the Rishis is repaid through study, to the Devas through yajna, and to the Pitris through progeny and Shraddh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Puranas explain the purpose in more detail:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Satisfaction of the ancestors:<\/strong> The Garuda Purana and the Vishnu Purana describe how the pinda, water and sesame offered with the names and gotra of the ancestors reach them in whatever form they have taken after death.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Peace and prosperity of the family:<\/strong> According to the Vishnu Purana (Amsha 3), ancestors pleased by Shraddh bless the family with long life, children, wealth and knowledge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pitru Paksha as a special window:<\/strong> Traditional belief holds that during Mahalaya Paksha the ancestors come close to their descendants&#8217; homes, expecting offerings. Shraddh performed even on one day of this fortnight, on the correct tithi, is said to keep them satisfied for the whole year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Helping the departed attain sadgati:<\/strong> Shraddh, and especially Sapindikaran, helps the departed soul leave the preta state and join the line of Pitris.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dharmashastra texts say Shraddh may be done every day of Mahalaya Paksha, from Pratipada to Amavasya. Since this is not practical for most families, the common practice is to perform one Mahalaya Shraddh on the tithi of the father&#8217;s death, in the name of all ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Has the Right to Perform Shraddh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The son is the first adhikari (rightful performer) of Shraddh. Tradition holds that offerings made by a son reach the ancestors most easily, because of the close bond of lineage. But the shastras never leave a departed soul without Shraddh. If the son is not available, the right passes in an order of succession:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Son, then grandson and great-grandson<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wife (widow) of the deceased<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daughter, and the daughter&#8217;s son (dauhitra)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Real brother, then nephew (brother&#8217;s son)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Father and mother of the deceased<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daughter-in-law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sister&#8217;s son<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maternal uncle (mama)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sapinda relatives, that is, members of the family up to seven generations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Samanodaka relatives, that is, members of the same gotra beyond seven generations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disciple, friend or son-in-law<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A wife performing Shraddh for her husband:<\/strong> The Garuda Purana (Preta Khanda) clearly allows a widow who has no son to perform the last rites, the annual Shraddh (kshayaha) and the paksha Shraddh for her husband, and praises her for doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In a joint family,<\/strong> the karta (the eldest male member, or the one who supports the family) performs the Shraddh for everyone. Once the family has divided, each brother may perform Shraddh separately in his own home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Grandfather&#8217;s Shraddh when the father is alive:<\/strong> If your father is living and you wish to perform a tirtha Shraddh for your grandfather or great-grandfather, take your father&#8217;s permission first. Tradition says this should not be done without his consent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Doing it yourself vs. through a priest:<\/strong> The shastras prefer that the karta performs the Shraddh with his own hands. Since correct Sanskrit pronunciation and knowledge of the vidhi are not easy for everyone, it is fully accepted to perform it through a learned brahmin, who guides the karta through the sankalpa and offerings. What matters most is that the ritual is done correctly and with shraddha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which Tithi Is Meant for Whom?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The general rule is simple: Mahalaya Shraddh is performed on the same tithi (lunar date) on which the person died, whatever the month of death. The tithi is counted by the lunar calendar, not the English date. Some tithis of Pitru Paksha, however, are reserved for special cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>Situation<\/td><td>Tithi in Pitru Paksha<\/td><td>Name \/ note<\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Normal death<\/td><td>Same tithi as the date of death<\/td><td>Mahalaya Shraddh for all ancestors<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Death on Purnima<\/td><td>Sarva Pitru Amavasya<\/td><td>Bhadrapad (Proshthapadi) Purnima is a separate Shraddh day, not part of Mahalaya. Some regional traditions use Panchami, Ashtami or Dwadashi<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Married woman who died while her husband was alive (suhagan)<\/td><td>Navami<\/td><td>Avidhava Navami \/ Matru Navami. A suhagan woman is also fed with respect on this day<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sanyasi, or a person who left home and never returned<\/td><td>Dwadashi<\/td><td>Yati \/ Sanyasi Shraddh<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Small children<\/td><td>Trayodashi<\/td><td>Called Bala-Bholani Teras in Saurashtra (regional custom)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Death by accident, weapon, violence or other unnatural cause<\/td><td>Chaturdashi<\/td><td>Ghat Chaturdashi \/ Shastrahat Shraddh<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Date of death not known, or ancestors whose names are forgotten<\/td><td>Sarva Pitru Amavasya<\/td><td>Shraddh for all known and unknown ancestors<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Person who died in Bharani nakshatra<\/td><td>Chaturthi or Panchami on which Bharani nakshatra falls<\/td><td>Bharani Shraddh (see first-year rules below)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Maternal grandfather (nana)<\/td><td>Ashwin Shukla Pratipada, the first day of Sharadiya Navratri<\/td><td>Matamaha \/ Dauhitra Shraddh<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sarva Pitru Amavasya<\/strong> is the most important single day of the fortnight. If you cannot perform Shraddh on the correct tithi, or do not know it at all, Shraddh on Amavasya covers every ancestor of the family. On this day it is also traditional to give hiranya daan (a gift of gold or money) to a brahmin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bharani Shraddh:<\/strong> Traditional belief holds that Shraddh done on the day of Bharani nakshatra during Pitru Paksha gives a result equal to Shraddh performed at Gaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Matamaha (Dauhitra) Shraddh in detail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the first day of Sharadiya Navratri, the grandson (dauhitra) performs Shraddh for his maternal grandfather. The rules are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is done by a grandson whose own father is alive but whose maternal grandfather has died.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If your own father has died, you do not perform Dauhitra Shraddh; your father&#8217;s line takes priority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The grandson gets this right from the third year after the nana&#8217;s death.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A woman whose parental family has no brother or male member may start this Shraddh one year after her father&#8217;s death.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is best done with fully cooked food (anna Shraddh) rather than only uncooked material. Although it is the first day of Navratri, no separate bhog needs to be cooked for the Devi for this purpose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pitru Paksha Shraddh Rules for the First Year After a Death<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If someone in the family died within the current year, Mahalaya Shraddh is not performed for them in this Pitru Paksha. This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and the reason lies in how the shastras view the first year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After death, the departed soul is considered to be in the preta state until the first annual Shraddh (varshik Shraddh or abdapurti) is completed. Only after this does the soul attain the status of a Pitri. Since Mahalaya Shraddh is meant for Pitris, a soul still in the preta state has no share in it during the first year. In the first year, the family instead performs the monthly Shraddhs (masik) and the annual Shraddh on the death anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same principle applies to related rituals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bharani Shraddh:<\/strong> It should be performed only after the varshik Shraddh. Doing it in the first year is not in line with the shastra. After the first year, it is meant to be done every year in Pitru Paksha, and even a family that wants to do it only once should not do it in the first year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Magha and other nakshatra Shraddhs:<\/strong> Like Bharani, these also begin from the second year, not during the first Mahalaya after death.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Daily tarpan (nitya tarpan):<\/strong> The name of the deceased is included in daily tarpan only after they have attained the status of Pitri, not in the first year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A suhagan woman:<\/strong> Her Avidhava Navami Shraddh also begins only after one year of her death is complete.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A note on differing practice:<\/strong> In many places today, Sapindikaran is done on the 12th day after death instead of at the end of the year. Following this practice, some scholars allow Bharani Shraddh in the very first Pitru Paksha after death. Since the opinions differ, follow the custom of your own family and region, and consult your purohit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is the Correct Time for Shraddh?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Shraddh should be performed in the Aparahna Kaal, the fourth of the five parts of the day. Morning is the time of the Devas, while the afternoon belongs to the Pitris. Because sunrise and sunset differ from city to city, the Aparahna Kaal must be worked out for your own location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to calculate it:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Note the local sunrise and sunset time for the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Subtract sunrise from sunset. This gives the dinman, the length of the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Divide the dinman into five equal parts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add one part at a time to the sunrise time. The five parts are Pratah (morning), Sangava, Madhyahna (midday), Aparahna (afternoon) and Sayahna (evening).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Worked example:<\/strong> Sunrise at 6:00 AM, sunset at 6:30 PM. The dinman is 12 hours 30 minutes, so each part is 2 hours 30 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>Part of the day<\/td><td>From<\/td><td>To<\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Pratah Kaal<\/td><td>6:00 AM<\/td><td>8:30 AM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sangava Kaal<\/td><td>8:30 AM<\/td><td>11:00 AM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Madhyahna Kaal<\/td><td>11:00 AM<\/td><td>1:30 PM<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Aparahna Kaal (for Shraddh)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>1:30 PM<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>4:00 PM<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sayahna Kaal<\/td><td>4:00 PM<\/td><td>6:30 PM<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this example, Shraddh should be done between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM. The offerings for crows (kakabali), cows and dogs are also best given between the end of Madhyahna and the end of Aparahna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip for families abroad:<\/strong> If you live outside India and your Shraddh is being performed by a priest in Kashi or Gaya on your behalf, the Aparahna Kaal is calculated for that tirtha, not for your city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Shraddh<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people know only one kind of Shraddh, the one done on the death tithi. The Bhavishya Purana, however, describes twelve types, each with its own occasion and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>Type<\/td><td>When or why it is performed<\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Nitya Shraddh<\/td><td>Daily offering to the ancestors; can be done with water alone (tarpan)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Naimittika Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed on a specific occasion, such as the Ekoddishta Shraddh for one person before Sapindikaran<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Kamya Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed with a specific wish in mind<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vriddhi Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed before auspicious events such as marriage, birth of a son or upanayana; also called Nandi Shraddh<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sapindana (Sapindikaran) Shraddh<\/td><td>Unites the departed soul with the line of ancestors; commonly done on the 12th day after death today<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Parvana Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed on parva days: Amavasya, Mahalaya, Sankranti, Ashtaka and the annual tithi<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Goshthi Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed collectively by scholars and brahmins at a tirtha for the satisfaction of the Pitris<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Shuddhyartha Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed for purification, along with prayaschitta<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Karmanga Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed as a part of the sixteen samskaras, such as garbhadhan and simantonnayan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Daivika Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed in the name of the Devas<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Yatrartha Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed with ghee before setting out on a pilgrimage<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Pushtyartha Shraddh<\/td><td>Performed for health, wealth and prosperity of the family<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other forms such as Dadhi Shraddh, Hiranya Shraddh (with gold or money in place of food) and Hasta Shraddh are also mentioned in the digests. Ashtaka Shraddh, performed on Krishna Ashtami, is a form of Parvana Shraddh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Simple Ways to Honour Ancestors When a Full Shraddh Is Not Possible<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The shastras are compassionate. According to the Vishnu Purana (Amsha 3, Adhyaya 14), the Pitris themselves sing that a person who has no wealth for Shraddh may still satisfy them. If one can give nothing else, one may feed grass to a cow with devotion. And if even that is not possible, one should go to a solitary place, raise both arms towards the sky and pray:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u0928 \u092e\u0947\u093d\u0938\u094d\u0924\u093f \u0935\u093f\u0924\u094d\u0924\u0902 \u0928 \u0927\u0928\u0902 \u091a \u0928\u093e\u0928\u094d\u092f\u091a\u094d\u091b\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0926\u094d\u0927\u094b\u092a\u092f\u094b\u0917\u094d\u092f\u0902 \u0938\u094d\u0935\u092a\u093f\u0924\u0944\u0928\u094d\u0928\u0924\u094b\u093d\u0938\u094d\u092e\u093f\u0964 \u0924\u0943\u092a\u094d\u092f\u0928\u094d\u0924\u0941 \u092d\u0915\u094d\u0924\u094d\u092f\u093e \u092a\u093f\u0924\u0930\u094b \u092e\u092f\u0948\u0924\u094c \u0915\u0943\u0924\u094c \u092d\u0941\u091c\u094c \u0935\u0930\u094d\u0924\u094d\u092e\u0928\u093f \u092e\u093e\u0930\u0941\u0924\u0938\u094d\u092f\u0965<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meaning: &#8220;I have no wealth, no money and nothing else fit for Shraddh. I bow to my ancestors. May my Pitris be satisfied by my devotion alone; I have raised both my arms into the path of the wind.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on this spirit, here are simple offerings anyone can make on the Shraddh tithi:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Donate a pot (kumbha) filled with water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Donate food grains or feed a needy person (anna daan).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Donate black sesame (til daan).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feed green grass to a cow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep a fast on the Shraddh tithi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Read the Shraddh vidhi or a Pitru stotra.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sit facing south and remember your ancestors by name with a full heart. If tears come, let them come; that remembrance is itself an offering.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Water offering to the Pitris:<\/strong> When offering water or naivedya to ancestors, it is poured over the pitru tirtha, the part of the right palm between the thumb and the index finger, so that the water flows out from the side of the thumb. This is the opposite of the way water is offered to the Devas, over the fingertips. Before placing the plate of naivedya, a small circle (mandal) is drawn on the ground with water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reading scriptures in Pitru Paksha:<\/strong> Parayan (recitation) of sacred texts is fully allowed and is considered pleasing to the ancestors. The Shrimad Bhagavata, the Gita (especially Adhyaya 7 and 15), the Durga Saptashati and the Garuda Purana are commonly read in this fortnight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Daily remembrance through the year:<\/strong> The shastras prescribe the Pancha Mahayajna for every householder, which includes Pitru Yajna, a daily tarpan of water to the ancestors. On every Amavasya, a small hiranya daan to a brahmin (such as a janeu, sweets and dakshina) keeps the bond with the ancestors alive throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Watch Now: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/jgY0fxyp6qA\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Vedaangam &#8211; Online Puja Booking Service Portal<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Special Situations: What Do the Shastras Say?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I do not know my gotra?<\/strong> Tradition says that a person who does not know his gotra should take the name of Kashyap gotra in the sankalpa, since Rishi Kashyap is regarded as the progenitor of all beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I do not remember my ancestors&#8217; names?<\/strong> A popular custom is to use the names of Devas for male ancestors and the names of sacred rivers for female ancestors. Simply invoking them as &#8220;my father, grandfather and great-grandfather&#8221; with the gotra is also accepted, and Sarva Pitru Amavasya covers all ancestors whose names are forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if the death occurred in Adhik Maas?<\/strong> The annual Shraddh of a person who died in Adhik Maas (the extra lunar month) is performed in the regular month of the same name, on the same tithi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if there is an eclipse on the Shraddh tithi?<\/strong> During the sutak or vedha period of an eclipse, cooked food is not offered. Instead, Hiranya Shraddh (offering gold, money or uncooked material in place of cooked food) is performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I miss the correct tithi in Pitru Paksha?<\/strong> The Dharmashastra digests say that Mahalaya does not end on Amavasya in the strict sense. If Shraddh could not be performed on time, it may be done on a suitable tithi until the Sun enters Vrishchika rashi (around mid-November). Sarva Pitru Amavasya, however, remains the best fallback date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I eat food at someone else&#8217;s Shraddh?<\/strong> If your own parents are alive, there is no objection to accepting an invitation to eat Shraddh food elsewhere. Feeding sadhus, sanyasis and yogis at a Shraddh is considered especially pleasing to the Pitris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How many brahmins should be invited?<\/strong> In the full Mahalaya vidhi, a dhumralochana Vishvedeva is installed in place of the Devas. Ideally two brahmins are invited for the Devas, three each for the four parvanas (father&#8217;s line, mother&#8217;s line, maternal grandfather&#8217;s line and maternal grandmother&#8217;s line), and one each for other relatives such as wife or brother. If this is not possible, six brahmins are enough: one for the Devas, four for the four parvanas and one for all other relatives together. Today, most families invite one or more brahmins as per their means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For whom is Mahalaya Shraddh offered?<\/strong> It is offered to the paternal line (father, grandfather, great-grandfather), the maternal line (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a stepmother), the maternal grandparents&#8217; line, and also to other departed relatives: wife, son, daughter, paternal uncle, maternal uncle, brother, sister, father&#8217;s sister, mother&#8217;s sister, son-in-law, father-in-law, guru, acharya, friend and disciple. Only those who have passed away are named.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Pitru Paksha Inauspicious?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pitru Paksha is not inauspicious; it is a sacred time reserved for the ancestors. Because the fortnight is dedicated to the Pitris, new auspicious beginnings such as marriage, griha pravesh, mundan or the purchase of new property are traditionally avoided in it. The family&#8217;s attention is meant to stay on the ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some regions this custom has become so strong that people avoid even talking about marriage, visiting wedding venues or fixing a match during these days. Many scholars, however, hold that preliminary preparations for a marriage, such as discussions and planning, are not prohibited by Pitru Paksha. Only the ceremony itself is avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the Dharmashastra digests, the Mahalaya period in the wider sense lasts until the Sun moves from Tula to Vrishchika rashi, which is why some traditions extend the caution beyond Amavasya. In North India, the general practice is to resume auspicious work from Sharadiya Navratri, which begins the day after Sarva Pitru Amavasya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Perform Shraddh in Kashi with Vedaangam:<\/strong> If you live away from home or abroad and cannot travel this Pitru Paksha, Vedaangam arranges Mahalaya Shraddh, Tarpan, Pind Daan and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vedaangam.com\/pitru-pujas\/tripindi-shradha-in-varanasi\"><strong>Tripindi Shraddh in Kashi<\/strong><\/a>, performed by experienced Vedic acharyas in your name and gotra, with a live video link and sankalpa taken on your behalf. [Add booking link]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can Mahalaya Shraddh be done in the first year after death?<\/strong> No. A soul is considered to be in the preta state until the first annual Shraddh, so Mahalaya Shraddh begins only from the second year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On which day is Shraddh done for a woman who died as a suhagan?<\/strong> On Navami of Pitru Paksha, called Avidhava Navami or Matru Navami, after one year of her death is complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if the date of death is not known?<\/strong> Perform the Shraddh on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, which is meant for all known and unknown ancestors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>On which tithi is Shraddh done for someone who died in an accident?<\/strong> On Chaturdashi of Pitru Paksha, known as Ghat Chaturdashi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can a daughter or wife perform Shraddh?<\/strong> Yes. When there is no son, the wife, daughter and daughter&#8217;s son are among the rightful performers, and the Garuda Purana specially praises a widow who performs Shraddh for her husband.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the best time of day for Shraddh?<\/strong> The Aparahna Kaal, the fourth of the five equal parts of the day, roughly between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM on a 12.5-hour day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vedaangam.com\/pitru-pujas\/tripindi-shradha-in-gaya\"><strong>Tripindi Shradha in Gaya \u2013 Book Pandit Online<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pitru Paksha Shraddh Rules Shraddh is the act of offering food, water and prayers to our departed ancestors with faith (shraddha), and Pitru Paksha is the fortnight set aside every year for it. Yet every year families ask the same questions: Can we do Mahalaya Shraddh in the first year after a death? On which [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5301,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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href=\"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/category\/pitru-puja\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Pitru-puja<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Pitru Paksha Shraddh Rules Shraddh is the act of offering food, water and prayers to our departed ancestors with faith (shraddha), and Pitru Paksha is the fortnight set aside every year for it. Yet every year families ask the same questions: Can we do Mahalaya Shraddh in the first year after a death? On which&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5300"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5302,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5300\/revisions\/5302"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vedaangam.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}