Pitru Paksha 2025
Pitru Paksha is a 15 lunar days period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings. According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar it falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada beginning with the full moon day or day after full moon day. According to North Indian Purnimant calendar this period falls in the lunar month of Ashwin beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or next day of full moon day. It is just nomenclature of lunar months which differs and both North Indians and South Indians perform Shraddha ritual on similar days. The last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. Mahalaya amavasya is the most significant day of Pitru Paksha.
Significance of Pitru Paksha:
Pitru Paksha also known as ‘Pitri Pokkho’, ‘Apara Paksha’, ‘Peddala Amavasya’, ‘Jitiya’ or ‘Sola Shraddha’ is a compulsory ceremony observed by Hindus. It is believed that by performing the rites of Shraddha, the soul of their ancestors goes to heaven. All the rituals during Pitru Paksha are performed by the son as it written in ‘Garuda Purana’ that a man can get salvation only after having a son. As per the Hindu mythology it is believed that the departed souls of the ancestors rest in peace only after the completion of the Shraddha ceremonies. Various Hindu scriptures like ‘Markandeya Purana’ state that when the ancestors are contended with the tarpan, they bestow the performer of the rituals with wealth, knowledge and a good healthy life.
Shraddha Dates 2025
Purnima Shraddha
Sunday, 7 September 2025
Bhadrapada, Shukla Purnima
Pratipada Shraddha
Monday, 8 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Pratipada
Dwitiya Shraddha
Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Dwitiya
Tritiya Shraddha
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Tritiya
Chaturthi Shraddha
Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Chaturthi
Panchami Shraddha
Thursday, 11 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Panchami
Maha Bharani
Thursday, 11 September 2025
Ashwina, Bharani Nakshatra
Shashthi Shraddha
Friday, 12 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Shashthi
Saptami Shraddha
Saturday, 13 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Saptami
Ashtami Shraddha
Sunday, 14 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Ashtami
Navami Shraddha
Monday, 15 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Navami
Dashami Shraddha
Tuesday, 16 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Dashami
Ekadashi Shraddha
Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Ekadashi
Dwadashi Shraddha
Thursday, 18 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Dwadashi
Trayodashi Shraddha
Friday, 19 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Trayodashi
Magha Shraddha
Friday, 19 September 2025
Ashwina, Magha Nakshatra
Chaturdashi Shraddha
Saturday, 20 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Chaturdashi
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya)
Sunday, 21 September 2025
Ashwina, Krishna Amavasya
Guidelines for Pitru Paksha:
- The rituals of the Shraddha or tarpan are performed by a male member, generally the eldest son in the family. On the day, the observer of Pitru Paksha takes a bath and wears a dhoti and ring made from Kush grass. As per the Hindu scriptures, the Kush grass is symbolic of compassion and used as a means to invoke the ancestors.
- Pind daan, the tradition of offering sesame seeds, rice and balls made of barley flour, is observed after this. The rituals of the Pitru Paksha are performed under the guidance of a knowledgeable priest. Following this, the blessings of Lord Vishnu are invoked using another sacred grass called as ‘darbha grass.’ This form of grass is known for its unobstructed growth, and therefore it is believed that the use of the Darbha grass will eliminate obstacles in one’s life.
- On the chosen day of Pitru Paksha, food is specially prepared for offering to the ancestors. It is a practice of offering a part of this food to a crow, as a crow is considered to be a messenger of Lord Yama. If the crow eats the food, it is believed to be an auspicious sign. Following this, a Brahmin priest is made to eat food and given a ‘dakshina’ for performing the ceremony. After completing all these rituals, the members of the family sit together and have their meal.
- During Pitru Paksha, reading sacred Hindu scriptures like ‘Agni Purana’, ‘Garuda Purana’, and different stories of Ganga Avataram and Nachiketa is greatly recommended.
Things to be avoided during the period of Pitru Paksha:
- The time for Pitru Paksha is considered inappropriate for any new beginnings. Therefore, starting a new activity or venture is prohibited during this period.
- People even abstain from buying or wearing new clothes. During Pitru Paksha washing and cutting hair or shaving is also prohibited, more so on the last day, that is, Mahalaya Amavasya. Also consuming onion, garlic or non-vegetarian food is strictly not allowed.
- As per the astronomical calculations, auspicious events like marriage, child naming ceremony or entering a new home should be done in advance or postponed so that they do not fall during Pitru Paksha.