Ramapada Acharjee
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पितृ पक्ष केवल शोक मनाने का समय नहीं है, बल्कि यह हमारे पूर्वजों के प्रति कृतज्ञता व्यक्त करने का एक पवित्र अवसर है।)
Since beginning my spiritual journey in 1994, I have spent many years studying astrology, traditional spiritual practices, and Tantra sadhana. During this long journey, I have spoken with many families who approach Pitru Paksha with mixed emotions. Some remember their parents with love. Some feel sadness. Others become unnecessarily frightened by words such as “Pitru Dosha,” ancestral displeasure, or incomplete rituals.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: वर्ष 1994 से अपनी आध्यात्मिक यात्रा की शुरुआत करने के बाद, मैंने कई ऐसे परिवारों से बात की है जो पितृ पक्ष को भय या संशय की दृष्टि से देखते हैं, जिसे दूर किया जाना आवश्यक है।)
My own understanding has gradually become much simpler. Pitru Paksha is a time to remember the people because of whom we are here today.
Our parents, grandparents, and earlier generations gave us much more than a surname. Through them came our family, culture, language, traditions, memories, and many of the values that shaped our lives.
That is why Shraddha, Tarpan, and Daan should not be performed only from fear. They are, above all, traditional expressions of remembrance and gratitude.
I have discussed this emotional and spiritual aspect separately in my article on Hindu Shraddha Ritual Importance: Honoring Parents. The ritual certainly has importance. However, Shraddha begins with shraddha itself—sincerity, respect, and remembrance.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: श्राद्धादि कर्मों का अपना महत्व है, लेकिन इनकी मूल भावना केवल और केवल सच्ची श्रद्धा, आदर और यादों पर टिकी होनी चाहिए, न कि किसी प्रकार के डर पर।)
Pitru Paksha 2026 Dates and Calendar
The main Pitru Paksha 2026 observances fall across September and October. The important dates are
- Purnima Shraddha: Saturday, 26 September 2026
- Pratipada Shraddha: Sunday, 27 September 2026
- Dwitiya Shraddha: Monday, 28 September 2026
- Tritiya Shraddha: Tuesday, 29 September 2026
- Chaturthi and Panchami Shraddha: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
- Shashthi Shraddha: Thursday, 1 October 2026
- Saptami Shraddha: Friday, 2 October 2026
- Ashtami Shraddha: Saturday, 3 October 2026
- Navami Shraddha: Sunday, 4 October 2026
- Dashami Shraddha: Monday, 5 October 2026
- Ekadashi Shraddha: Tuesday, 6 October 2026
- Dwadashi Shraddha: Wednesday, 7 October 2026
- Trayodashi Shraddha: Thursday, 8 October 2026
- Chaturdashi Shraddha: Friday, 9 October 2026
- Sarva Pitru Amavasya / Mahalaya Amavasya: Saturday, 10 October 2026
Readers who want to cross-check the year’s schedule can also see the Times of India Pitru Paksha 2026 Calendar.
Traditionally, Shraddha is performed according to the lunar tithi on which an ancestor passed away, rather than simply according to the English calendar date. If the tithi is known, families generally observe Shraddha on the corresponding tithi during Pitru Paksha. When the exact death tithi is genuinely unknown, Sarva Pitru Amavasya, which in Bengal is closely associated with Mahalaya, is commonly used to remember departed ancestors collectively.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: वर्ष 2026 के पितृ पक्ष की तिथियां सितंबर और अक्टूबर में हैं, जिन्हें पंचांग और पारंपरिक नियमों के अनुसार ही देखना और मानना उचित है।)
What Is the Real Meaning of Pitru Paksha?
Over the years, people have often asked me whether Pitru Paksha should be regarded as an inauspicious or fearful period. I do not like approaching it that way.
Instead, I see these days as a temporary turning inward. For most of the year, our minds remain occupied with work, money, family responsibilities, social obligations, and our own future. Pitru Paksha asks us to look backwards for a few moments and remember our roots.
Traditional Hindu culture gives considerable importance to ancestral remembrance. The Bihar Tourism Pitrapaksha Guide also describes it as a traditional period dedicated to paying homage to departed ancestors through practices such as Shraddha, Tarpan, and Pind Daan.
Traditional thought often describes our responsibility towards previous generations as Pitru Rina, or the debt we carry towards our lineage. Of course, no ritual can literally repay everything our parents and ancestors gave us. But we can remember them. We can continue what was good in the family, correct what needs correction, and perform good deeds in their memory.
This is why I often tell people: Do not observe Pitru Paksha only because you are afraid of what may happen if you do not perform a ritual. Observe it because you remember where you came from.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पितृ पक्ष का वास्तविक अर्थ अपनी जड़ों की ओर लौटना और पूर्वजों के प्रति सम्मान प्रकट करना है; इसे अशुभ या भय का समय नहीं समझना चाहिए।)
Three Important Practices During Pitru Paksha
The three practices most commonly associated with this period are
- Tarpan
- Shraddha or Pinda Daan
- Daan
The official Gaya District Administration Portal on Pind Daan also explains the importance of ancestral rituals and the long-standing tradition of Pind Daan at Gaya Ji.
However, I want to make one point very clear. India has many traditions. Bengali customs are not identical to customs in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, or South India. Even two Bengali families may follow slightly different procedures because their family traditions, gotra practices, or priestly traditions differ. Therefore, a general online guide should never replace a family’s established Shraddha procedure.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: तर्पण, पिंडदान और दान इस अवधि के मुख्य तीन अंग हैं, किंतु प्रत्येक परिवार की अपनी पारंपरिक पद्धति और रीति-रिवाज भिन्न हो सकते हैं।)
1. Tarpan – Offering Water to the Ancestors
Tarpan is probably the most familiar ritual of Pitru Paksha, particularly in Bengal. Water is traditionally offered while remembering departed ancestors. Black sesame seeds, or kala til, are commonly used. Kusha grass may also be used according to the ritual tradition followed by the family.
A basic arrangement may include:
- Clean water
- Black sesame seeds
- Kusha grass, where available
- Flowers
- A clean copper or suitable vessel
Traditionally, Pitru Tarpan is often performed after bathing and during the morning. The southern direction is commonly associated with the Pitru realm in Hindu ritual traditions. Therefore, many people face south during ancestral offerings. A simple remembrance mantra often heard is Om Pitribhyah Swadha Namah. However, the exact mantra, number of water offerings, and hand positions can differ according to family and ritual tradition.
This is important. I have seen people becoming confused after watching five different videos and finding five different methods. My advice is simple: if your family already has an established method, follow that method instead of changing it every year after watching the internet. The same principle adopted applies to daily worship. Ritual becomes more meaningful when cleanliness, concentration, and sincerity remain at its center, something I have also discussed in my Morning Puja Vidhi Guide.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: तर्पण जल और काले तिलों के माध्यम से किया जाने वाला एक सात्विक कर्म है, जिसमें इंटरनेट के भ्रम से दूर पारिवारिक परंपरा का पालन करना सर्वश्रेष्ठ होता है।)
Tarpan in Bengal and Kolkata
Mahalaya morning carries a particularly strong emotional significance for Bengali families. Before sunrise, countless people traditionally visit the banks of the Ganga to remember their ancestors. In Kolkata, one can see families gathering at places such as Babughat, Bagbazar, and the ghats around Dakshineswar for Mahalaya Tarpan.
For someone born and brought up in Bengal, this atmosphere is difficult to describe only through written ritual instructions. There is a certain silence even among large crowds. People may be standing in the same river, but everyone is remembering someone different—a father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, or another loved member of the family. That personal memory is what gives Tarpan its human meaning.
However, a person who cannot travel to the Ganga should not feel guilty. Age, distance, or practical circumstances may make travelling difficult. Where family tradition permits, respectful remembrance and simple offerings can also be performed at home.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: बंगाल और कोलकाता में महालया की सुबह गंगा घाटों पर तर्पण का एक अलग ही भावनात्मक और आध्यात्मिक महत्व होता है, जिसे घर पर भी सरलता से निभाया जा सकता है यदि गंगा जाना संभव न हो।)
2. Shraddha and Pinda Daan
Shraddha is traditionally performed for departed relatives according to their respective lunar tithi. Some families arrange the complete ceremony with a priest, while others follow a smaller home observance. Both can have meaning when performed sincerely.
Typical Satvik food prepared for the occasion may include:
- Rice
- Dal
- Seasonal vegetables
- Ghee
- Payesh or kheer
- Other simple preparations followed by the family
Many families avoid onion and garlic in Shraddha food. Pindas are traditionally prepared using cooked rice and other prescribed ingredients such as sesame. However, the precise method varies between traditions. If someone wants to perform a complete formal Pinda Daan with specific Sanskrit mantras, gotra references, and traditional procedures, I recommend taking guidance from a knowledgeable priest familiar with that family’s customs.
I have learned through years of spiritual practice that ritual should not become mechanical. This is also why I have written about the relationship between intention, discipline, and traditional worship in my article How Temple Rituals Influence Destiny.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: श्राद्ध और पिंडदान विधि-विधान से किए जाने वाले कर्म हैं, जिन्हें सात्विकता और सच्ची निष्ठा के साथ संपन्न करना चाहिए।)
Why Is Food Offered During Shraddha?
People sometimes ask me a very practical question: “If the person is no longer physically present, why do we prepare food?”
For me, the meaning goes beyond the physical plate. Food has always represented care. When our parents were alive, they fed us. Our grandparents may have fed us. Family celebrations often centered around cooking, feeding, and eating together. Therefore, offering food in remembrance carries a strong symbolic meaning.
Traditionally, the food may later be offered or distributed according to family practice. Some traditions include feeding Brahmins or people in need. Feeding animals and birds, especially cows, crows, or dogs, is also followed by many families. But again, I do not advise people to turn these symbols into fear. If one crow does not appear on your terrace at exactly the right moment, it does not mean that your ancestor has rejected you. Spiritual practice should give clarity, not create unnecessary anxiety.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: श्राद्ध में भोजन अर्पित करने की परंपरा असल में प्रेम, देखभाल और कृतज्ञता का प्रतीक है; इसे किसी प्रकार के अंधविश्वास या डर का विषय न बनाएं।)
3. Daan—Charity in the Name of Ancestors
For me, Daan is one of the most beautiful aspects of Shraddha. Traditional donations may include:
- Rice and dal
- Sesame and ghee
- Food and clothes
- Dakshina and useful household items
- Assistance to someone genuinely in need
In many Bengali households, siddha—uncooked rice, dal, and other provisions—is traditionally offered during Shraddha or Mahalaya observances. There is something deeply meaningful about this practice. Suppose you remember your father and provide a meal to someone who needs it, or you remember your mother and give clothing to an older person. The departed person is then remembered through a living act of compassion. This, to me, is more meaningful than spending excessively only to impress other people.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पूर्वजों के नाम पर जरूरतमंदों को दान देना और परोपकार करना इस अनुष्ठान का सबसे सुंदर और सार्थक हिस्सा है।)
Pitru Paksha at Home: A Simple Way to Observe It
Not everybody can organize a large Shraddha ceremony. Today families live across countries and continents. Sons and daughters may be thousands of kilometers away from their family home. Older family members may not be physically able to visit a ghat. Therefore, circumstances should always be considered.
A simple home observance may include:
- Bathe and wear clean clothes.
- Clean the prayer or remembrance area.
- Sit quietly for a few moments.
- Remember departed parents and ancestors by name.
- Offer water and black sesame if this follows your family tradition.
- Light a diya or incense safely.
- Prepare simple Satvik food.
- Pray for the peace of departed family members.
- Perform some form of charity in their memory.
- End with gratitude rather than fear.
When a formal ritual is necessary according to your family tradition, seek knowledgeable guidance.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: यदि आप घर से दूर हैं या बड़े अनुष्ठान में असमर्थ हैं, तो पूरी श्रद्धा और स्वच्छता के साथ घर पर भी पितरों का स्मरण और पूजन किया जा सकता है।)
What Should We Avoid During Pitru Paksha?
Many Hindu families traditionally keep Pitru Paksha relatively simple and restrained. Some individuals choose to avoid organizing major auspicious ceremonies or extravagant celebrations during this timeframe.
On the specific Shraddha day, families may avoid:
- Non-vegetarian food and alcohol
- Onion, garlic, and excessively spicy food
- Unnecessary celebrations and major auspicious ceremonies
- Arguments and harsh words
Some families also avoid shaving, cutting hair, or trimming nails on Shraddha day. But once again, customs differ. I do not encourage turning every traditional restriction into a threat. The spirit behind the observance is more important: simplicity, restraint, remembrance, and respect.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पितृ पक्ष के दिनों में सादगी, संयम और अनुशासन बनाए रखने की परंपरा है, किंतु किसी भी नियम को अभिशाप या धमकी के रूप में नहीं देखना चाहिए।)
Ancestor Photos: Where Should We Keep Them?
This is another question I am asked surprisingly often. Unfortunately, the internet has created considerable confusion about ancestor photographs. One article says they must be placed on one particular wall, while another says exactly the opposite. My advice is more practical.
There is no single photograph-placement rule followed identically by every Hindu family. What matters most is respect. Many families prefer to keep photographs of departed relatives in a clean and dignified area of the house. Some traditional households keep ancestor photographs separate from the principal deity altar, whereas others follow inherited household customs. Therefore, I would not advise disturbing a long-established family tradition simply because a social media video claims that only one direction is acceptable.
Simple Guidelines for Ancestor Photographs:
- Keep the photographs clean.
- Use a respectful and stable frame, and replace a broken or badly damaged frame.
- Do not leave photographs neglected under household clutter.
- Avoid keeping memorial photographs on the floor.
- A simple flower or garland may be offered according to family practice.
- During Pitru Paksha, a diya or incense may be lit safely while remembering them.
An ancestor’s photograph represents memory and respect. It does not need to be treated exactly like the murti of a deity.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पूर्वजों की तस्वीरों को घर में साफ-सुथरे और सम्मानित स्थान पर रखना चाहिए, न कि सोशल मीडिया के भ्रमित नियमों से परेशान होकर परंपरा बदलनी चाहिए।)
Mahalaya in Bengal: A Unique Emotional Experience
For Bengalis, Mahalaya has a meaning that reaches far beyond a date on the calendar. It is a bridge between two spiritual moods. On one side lies Pitri Paksha, with its remembrance of ancestors, while on the other begins the emotional movement towards Devi Paksha and Durga Puja.
For generations of Bengali families, Mahalaya morning also brings another familiar memory—the sound of Mahishasuramardini. Even today, many people wake before sunrise to listen to the traditional broadcast. The connection between Mahalaya, Pitri Paksha, Tarpan, and Bengal’s cultural tradition is also discussed in the Akashvani Archives on Mahalaya and Pitri Paksha.
For me, this combination is deeply meaningful. We remember those who came before us, and then we prepare spiritually to welcome the Divine Mother. One relationship does not cancel the other; rather, one seems naturally to lead into the next. An additional Akashvani feature on Mahalaya Heritage also records this transition from ancestral remembrance towards the atmosphere of Devi Paksha.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: बंगाल में महालया पितृ पक्ष की विदाई और देवी पक्ष यानी दुर्गा पूजा के आगमन के बीच का एक बेहद खूबसूरत और भावनात्मक सेतु है।)
What If I Do Not Know the Death Tithi?
This is a very common concern. Some families know the exact lunar death tithi of parents and grandparents, while others know only the English calendar date. In some cases, information about earlier generations has unfortunately been lost.
When the correct Shraddha tithi is known, the traditional practice is to perform Shraddha on that corresponding tithi during Pitru Paksha. When the death tithi is genuinely unknown, Sarva Pitru Amavasya is traditionally used for collective ancestor remembrance. In 2026, Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on Saturday, 10 October. Therefore, someone who genuinely cannot determine the tithi should not spend the entire Pitru Paksha worrying. Mahalaya Amavasya provides a traditional day for remembrance.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: यदि पूर्वजों की सही तिथि ज्ञात न हो, तो सर्वपितृ अमावस्या या महालया के दिन उनका स्मरण करना शास्त्रसंगत और उत्तम माना गया है।)
Is Pitru Paksha the Same as Pitru Dosha?
No. This distinction is very important. Pitru Paksha is a traditional annual period of ancestor remembrance, whereas Pitru Dosha is an astrological concept. The two subjects may sometimes be discussed together, but they should not automatically be treated as the same thing.
Unfortunately, fear-based astrology sometimes tells people, “Something went wrong in your family, so you definitely have Pitru Dosha.” I do not agree with this approach. A financial difficulty is not automatically Pitru Dosha. A marriage delay is not automatically Pitru Dosha. Family conflict does not automatically prove Pitru Dosha, and someone’s illness should certainly not immediately be blamed on ancestors. I have discussed this subject in much greater detail in Is Pitru Dosha Real or Myth in Astrology?.
In astrology, a horoscope has to be examined as a whole. One placement cannot responsibly explain every difficulty in someone’s life. Readers who want a broader understanding of different astrological combinations can also refer to my guide on Common Doshas in Kundali and Their Remedies.
More importantly, respecting our ancestors should never depend entirely on whether an astrologer says we have Pitru Dosha. We should remember our parents because they were our parents—not because we are frightened that something bad might happen otherwise.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पितृ पक्ष और पितृ दोष दोनों अलग विषय हैं। हर जीवन की समस्या को पितृ दोष से जोड़कर भय फैलाना उचित नहीं है।)
What My Spiritual Journey Since 1994 Has Taught Me
Since 1994, my journey through astrology and Tantra sadhana has taken me through many different experiences. I have met people with deep faith, people filled with doubts, and families who spend large amounts of money on rituals but hardly speak to each other. On the other hand, I have seen very ordinary families perform a small Shraddha with such sincerity that the atmosphere itself becomes emotional.
These experiences have changed the way I look at ritual. I no longer believe that spirituality should be measured by how complicated a ceremony looks. For me, ritual has value when it reminds us of something deeper. During Pitru Paksha, that deeper lesson is gratitude.
If your parents are alive, respect them now. Spend time with them, speak gently with them, and help them when they need you. Do not wait until after their death to spend enormous amounts of money proving your devotion to society. I have expressed the same thought in my earlier writing about Shraddha: caring for parents while they are alive is as important as remembering them after they are gone. This is something I feel strongly after all these years.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: जीवित माता-पिता की सेवा और आदर करना उनके जाने के बाद महंगे अनुष्ठान करने से कहीं अधिक महत्वपूर्ण है; यही मेरा वर्षों का अनुभव सिखाता है।)
Do Not Turn Pitru Paksha into Fear
I want to say this particularly clearly. Your ancestors should not automatically be imagined as angry forces waiting to punish you for a small ritual mistake. Fear can easily become a business. Someone may tell you that one mistake in Shraddha will destroy your prosperity or claim that an expensive ritual is immediately necessary. Such claims should be approached carefully.
If your family follows a traditional ceremony, certainly respect it. If priestly guidance is necessary, take appropriate guidance. But do not lose your peace of mind. A ritual performed with humility, remembrance, and responsibility is very different from a ritual performed only because somebody frightened you.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पितृ पक्ष के नाम पर बाजारवाद और भय फैलाने वालों से सावधान रहें; अनुष्ठान श्रद्धा और शांति के साथ होना चाहिए, डर के साथ नहीं।)
One Good Deed in an Ancestor’s Name
There is something I personally recommend whenever circumstances permit. During Pitru Paksha, perform one meaningful act of kindness in your ancestor’s name. It does not have to be expensive. You might:
- Feed someone who is hungry or feed an animal.
- Give clothes to someone who needs them or provide useful groceries to a family.
- Help an older person or support a student’s education.
- Plant a tree or help a family member quietly.
Then remember the person in whose name you are doing it. To me, this creates a beautiful connection between memory and responsibility.
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: पूर्वजों की स्मृति में किसी जरूरतमंद की सहायता करना या कोई भी अच्छा कार्य करना सबसे बड़ा तर्पण और पुण्य है।)
Final Thoughts: Pitru Paksha Is Gratitude, Not Only Mourning
After more than three decades on my spiritual path, my understanding of Pitru Paksha has become increasingly simple. It is not merely about death; it is about continuity.
Something of our previous generations continues through us. Our body carries a lineage, our home carries memories, our language carries generations of experience, and our traditions carry stories that we did not create ourselves. Therefore, for these few days, we acknowledge that connection.
Offer water if that is your tradition. Perform Shraddha according to your family custom. Give charity, remember their names, and tell your children who their grandparents and great-grandparents were. Share the good stories, preserve the values worth preserving, and most importantly, do all of this without unnecessary fear.
Gratitude may be the simplest and most sincere Tarpan we can offer.
— Ramapada Acharjee
True and Authentic Spiritual Guide Since 1994
(हिंदी टिप्पणी: संक्षेप में कहें तो पितृ पक्ष मृत्यु का नहीं, बल्कि हमारी निरंतरता और कृतज्ञता का उत्सव है, जिसे बिना किसी भय के मनाना चाहिए।)
Frequently Asked Questions About Pitru Paksha 2026
When does Pitru Paksha 2026 begin?
Purnima Shraddha is observed on 26 September 2026, while the main Pitru Paksha sequence beginning with Pratipada falls from 27 September 2026.
When does Pitru Paksha 2026 end?
Pitru Paksha concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
When is Mahalaya in 2026?
Mahalaya Amavasya falls on Saturday, 10 October 2026.
What should I do if I do not know an ancestor’s death tithi?
When the exact death tithi is unknown, Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya is commonly observed for collective ancestor remembrance.
Can Pitru Tarpan be performed at home?
Where family tradition permits, a simple Tarpan and remembrance may be performed at home when visiting a river or ghat is not practical, though formal ritual procedures can vary between families.
Is a priest compulsory for Shraddha?
For a formal Shraddha involving specific mantras, gotra references, and traditional ritual procedures, knowledgeable priestly guidance may be appropriate. However, prayer, remembrance, charity, and simple offerings may also be performed sincerely according to family tradition.
Can women remember and pray for departed ancestors?
Yes. Women can remember ancestors, offer prayers, participate in family remembrance, and perform acts of charity, though specific formal ritual procedures may differ between traditions and families.
Should ancestor photos be kept inside the Puja room?
There is no single practice followed identically by every Hindu family. Many households prefer keeping ancestor photographs separate from the main deity altar, where respect and established family tradition guide the arrangement.
Is Pitru Paksha the same as Pitru Dosha?
No. Pitru Paksha is an annual traditional period of ancestor remembrance, whereas Pitru Dosha is an astrological concept used within particular traditions of horoscope interpretation.
Is every family difficulty a sign of Pitru Dosha?
No. Financial, relationship, family, or other difficulties should not automatically be labelled as Pitru Dosha, as astrological interpretation requires examination of the horoscope as a whole.
What is the most important part of Pitru Paksha?
The most important principle is Shraddha—sincere respect, remembrance and gratitude towards our ancestors, expressed through prayer, responsible conduct, offerings and charity.
About the Author and Spiritual Guidance
Ramapada Acharjee is a Kolkata-based astrology and spiritual guidance practitioner, practicing since 1994. Learn more about his background on the About Ramapada Acharjee page.
If you would like to discuss the devotional meaning of these traditions, you can explore his approach to spiritual guidance. For appointment inquiries, visit Contact Ramapada Acharjee.
मेरे पास आध्यात्मिक चर्चा का अर्थ भय बढ़ाना नहीं, बल्कि विषय को सही ढंग से समझने में सहायता करना है। परामर्श लेने से पहले अपने प्रश्न, अपेक्षा और वास्तविक स्थिति को स्पष्ट रूप से साझा करें।
📍Consultation available in Kolkata, Guwahati, Siliguri, Tarapith & online by prior appointment (in-person & online)
📞 Consultant: Ramapada Acharjee
Professional Experience: True & Authentic Spiritual Guide Practicing Since 1994
📞 Phone / WhatsApp: +91 98749 54063
✉️ Official Email: astrologer@ramapada.com
🌐 Website
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🔗 Related Category: Hindu Rituals
