Pitru Paksha is a 16 day period from Bhadrapada purnima to Sarvapitri Amavasya; when Hindus pay homage to their ancestor, especially through food offerings. Pitru Paksha is considered by Hindus to be inauspicious, given the death rite performed during the ceremony, known as Shraddha or Tarpan. The last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya. It is also known as Pitru Amavasya, Peddala Amavasya, Mahalaya amavasya or simply Mahalaya. It is the most significant day of Pitru Paksha.

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Pitru Paksha Dates

Pitru Paksha start date:  Friday, 13 September 2019 - Purnima Shraddha (Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima); starts from the fortnight immediately after the Ganesh Chaturthi.

Pitru Paksha End date: Saturday, 28 September 2019 - Sarvapitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya; beginning of Shardiya Navratri; which signifies the famous Durga Puja dedicated to nine forms of Maa Durga(NavDurga).

Days Information and their importance

Purnima Shraddha

Shraddha for those who died on Purnima tithi is done on Amavasya Shraddha tithi and not on Bhadrapada Purnima. Usually Pitru Paksha starts on the next day of Purnima Shraddha.

Pitru paksha rules: Dos and Don'ts of Pitru Paksha

Pratipada Shraddha

Pratipada Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Pratipada tithi, including both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Pratipada. It is also known as Padwa Shraddha.

Pratipada Shraddha tithi is also considered suitable to perform Shraddha for maternal grandfather and grandmother (known as Nana-Nani). If there is no person to perform Shraddha at maternal home then doing Shraddha on this tithi appeases souls of maternal grandparents. Even if death anniversary of maternal grandparents are not known then also Shraddha can be done on this tithi. It is believed that performing this Shraddha brings happiness and prosperity at the home.

Dwitiya Shraddha

Dwitiya Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Dwitiya tithi, including both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Dwitiya. It is also known as Dooj Shraddha.

Tritiya Shraddha

Tritiya Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Tritiya tithi. It is also known as Teej Shraddha.

Chaturthi Shraddha

Chaturthi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Chaturthi tithi. It is also known as Chauth Shraddha.

Panchami Shraddha

Panchami Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Panchami tithi, including both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Panchami. It is also known as Kunwara Panchami. Doing Shraddha on this tithi is significant for those deceased family members who died unmarried.

Sashthi Shraddha

Shashthi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Shashthi tithi. Shashthi Shraddha is also known as Chhath Shraddha.

Saptami Shraddha

Saptami Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Saptami tithi.

Ashtami Shraddha

Ashtami Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Ashtami tithi

Navami Shraddha

Navami Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Navami tithi. Navami Shraddha tithi is also known as Matra Navami. This tithi is the most suitable day to perform mother's Shraddha. It is believed that doing Shraddha on this tithi appeases all deceased female members in the family. Navami Shraddha is also known as Naumi Shraddha and Avidhava Shraddha.

Dashami Shraddha

Dashami Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Dashami tithi.

Ekadashi Shraddha

Ekadashi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Ekadashi tithi. Ekadashi Shraddha is also known as Gyaras Shraddha.

Dwadashi Shraddha

Dwadashi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Dwadashi tithi. This tithi is also suitable to perform Shraddha for those who had taken renunciation (Sannyasa) before death. Dwadashi Shraddha is also known as Baras Shraddha.

Trayodashi Shraddha

Trayodashi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Trayodashi tithi. This tithi is also suitable to perform Shraddha for dead children. It is also known as Teras Shraddha.

Chaturdashi Shraddha

Chaturdashi Shraddha tithi is only suitable for those deceased family members who were killed by some weapon, died in an accident, committed suicide or murdered. Otherwise Chaturdashi Shraddha is not done on this tithi and is performed on Amavasya Shraddha tithi. Chaturdashi Shraddha is also known as Ghat Chaturdashi Shraddha or Ghayala Chaturdashi Shraddha.

Sarvapitru Amavasya

Amavasya tithi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Amavasya tithi, Purnima tithi and Chaturdashi tithi. If someone is not able to perform Shraddha on all tithis then single Shraddha on this day is enough to appease all deceased souls in the family. If death anniversary of ancestors are not known or forgotten then those Shraddha can be performed on this tithi. That's why Amavasya Shraddha is also known as Sarvapitra Moksha Amavasya.

Mahalaya Amavasya marks the beginning of Navratri festival. It is believed that Goddess Durga was descended on the Earth on this day.

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Pitru Paksha Tithi on North and South Indian Calendar

As per the South Indian calendar it is observed in the lunar month of Bhadrapada on the full moon day whereas, according to North Indian calendar this is exalted in the lunar month of Ashwin which begins with the full moon day in Bhadrapada. However both North Indians and South Indians conduct Shraddha rites on same days. Pitru paksha is said to be a notable observance in Hindu culture because other illustrious festivals such as navratri dedicated to Navdurga is of nine days and Ganesh Chaturthi is of ten days, But this Pitru paksha (shraddha) lasts for sixteen days.

The people who can do Shradh

Shraddha is meant to be reverently pleasing and bestowing special honour (respect) to the ancestors. According to the belief, after someone's death in the family, he/she is rendered with reverence for their soul’s satisfaction, shraddha is conducted. It is believed that by doing Shraddha during Pitru paksha, the ancestors get peace and liberation This sacrament is greatly admired among the Hindus admirers for 16 days and thus revered as a grand observance in India. In the scriptures like Manusmriti and Brahma Purana, it is said that in the family, the sons have the right to do Shraddha, but if the departed ancestor does not have any son then the grandson, nephew, great grandson or the widow (and vice-versa) can also perform Shraddha.