Shraddh or Shradh offered during Pitru Paksh (dark fortnight or Krishna Paksha) in the month of Ashwin (September – October) is of great importance in Hindu religion. Shraddh is the ceremonies and rituals performed for the departed souls of dead ancestors. It is believed that the souls will attain peace by the Shraddh rituals performed during the fortnight. In 2013, the Shraddh Pitru Paksh begins on September 20 and ends with Mahalaya Pitru Paksha on October 4. Mahalaya Pitru Paksha is on October 4. (You can get Pitru Paksha fortnight 2013 date details in this latest article).
According to Hindu mythology, the Shraddh performed on Ashwin Pitru Paksha reaches the ancestors immediately and their souls will rest in peace. Hindu Puranas are full of details about Shraddh, especially Agni Purana, Garuda Purana and Matysa Purana. It is Yama, the god of death in Hindu mythology, who explained the importance of Shraddh performed on Pitru Paksha.
According to Matysa Pura, Agni, Vasus and Rudras act as intermediaries during Pitru Paksha Shraddh and take the rituals and food offered to ancestors. The ancestors bless those performing the ritual. In some places, the last day of the Shraddh is of great importance. The ritual is usually conducted near temples or on river banks.
The Shraddh or rituals performed during this period benefits all the dead ancestors. It is believed by Hindus that all the sinful acts committed by the dead will be cleansed by the shraddh. Those departed souls who do not receive Shraddh are said to wander aimlessly on Earth.
Pitru Paksha Shraddh is also offered by people to ancestors whose death dates they have forgotten. To relatives who had no children and who met with violent death like accidents or murder. Those people who failed to perform the annual shraddh (performed on the death date) also offer Shraddh during Pitru Paksha.
The customs and rituals performed during Pitru Paksha Shraddh vary regionally. Some people fast on the day. Some people observe specific customs like abstaining from non-vegetarian food during the fortnight and some do not cut their hair or shave.
You may also like to read
Importance of rituals dedicated to dead ancestors in Hindu religion
116 comments:
Is there any stotra that we are advised to chant during this period
Can you eat in anybody's home, if have eated then what to do. Please help.
Koena
During this shradha I cannot buy a house? I am in the city only for this limited time and this is the only chance to buy a place. Please advise.
I have heard that we must not eat the food in the house of someone(not a family memeber)who is performing a shrad. If is done, ill health will plague the person. If someone has done so unknowingly, what can be done to reverse the effects of the same?
My father expired on 2/6/2010
can i know the correct date for his shradh in the current year
thanks
jitendra
jitenr10@yahoo.com
@ jitendra it will be 6th date.
Can we do Shraddha in a foreign country?
Oh yes you can perform Shraddha in a a foreign country
Thank you.
What are the dates for Shraadh in 2012?
Can you give me the reason to whom we are performing the shraadha? and how it reaches them? As per our hindu religion within 6 months the soul gets other form. Than how can you say that soul will rest in peace? and shraadha should not be performed to the living beings right?
@ Anonymous you are correct but many people who live on earth do not have the courage to accept the fact that a soul takes another form.
So majority of the rituals are meant to comfort or remove fear or give solace to the living human beings rather than those dead.
We are traveling to another state for finalizing details of new job offer on Sept. 14th during Shradh. We will look at housing, office space and schools. Any advice?
This period is not ideal for such things if anyone of those traveling are doing Shradh. If not then it is ok.
Hello, I will be traveling to Kolkata around end September and being a non-Hinu western I want to make sure I respect the beliefs and customs of the colleagues I will be visiting, especially during this important religous festival.
What advise can you give me?
You can visit Kolkata from Sept 28, 2011. Important Durga Puja rituals begin on Oct 2, 2011.
Is it possible to get the shrad dates for 2012.
Shraadh dates in 2012 is from September 30, 2012 to October 15, 2012
Hello,
My mother died on 8 December 2004. please can you tell me the date for her shraddh in 2011.
And i would also like to know how to calculate the date.
Thank you.
You can perform Shradh for her on Sept 27, 2011 as part of Mahalaya. This is Sarva Pitru Paksha Shradh.
Her specific date of shradh in 2011 will be on
November 21, 2011.
She died on Margashirsh Krishna Paksha Ekadasi as per traditional North Indian Calendar.
I want to know if there are any restrictions regarding who can perform Shraad. Like only males are supposed to perform and not females.
Thanks.
Do you need to perform sharddha in PITRU paksha for mother who passed awy away after farher's death? By thithi I perform for both (mother and father). But In Mhalaya - Pitru paksha do I need to perform only for father or MOTHER too - both. Early response is appreciated since Pitru pakha will beging in few hours. (Sep 13, 2012).
@ Richa this depends on community but in South all people perform shradh.
@ Raja...Mahalaya Pitru Paksha is meant for all those who passed away in your family. you should perform for both mother and father.
My father died on January 8, 2010. please let me know Shradh date
@ Ashutosh..you can perform Shradh for any one Mahalaya day - September 27, 2011.
As per Tithi your Fathers Shradh will be next on January 19, 2012.
His death was on Magh Krishna Paksha Ekadashi.
Many Hindu's in South Africa say that Pitru Paksha is not practised in India. I would like to know if it is practised widely in India and how is it practised?
hi
My father died on August 29, 2008. please let me know Shradh date
Pitru Paksha is practiced in all regions accept in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They perform it during Karutvavu and aadi amavasi in july or august
@ Father died August 29, 2008..please say from which region in india you are from.
pitra paksha,sabse bade is duniya me hamre pitr hi he jo hame is jagat me peda kiye he.unhe roj subah pahle yad karna he.bad me dushre kam he.
My father died on 19 October 2006. please let me know Shradh date
You can perform shradh for him on Mahalaya day - Sept 27. this is common annual shradh for all people.
You fathers tithi shradh is on Kartik Krishna Paksha Trayodasi as per North Indian calendar. This in 2011 is on October 25. You should perform this shradh morning before 9:02 AM.
@ Father died August 29, 2008...
As per North India Calendar your fathers shradh tithi is on Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha Chaturdashi.
This in 2011 was on August 28.
You can perform shradh for him on Mahalaya day - Sept 27. this is common annual shradh for all people.
Hi
My mother in law died on 20th Dec 2004. How will I find out which shradh day .
Thank you
namrata
I am living abroad . Please let me know what day of shraddha is for my mother in law who died on 20th dec 2004.
Thanks
Namrata
My father died on the morning of November 16th, 2010 in Ahmedabad Gujarat due to cancer and Agnida was given on next day November 17th 2010. Please let me know Shradh date.
I am living in New York, as a daughter can I perform the shradh pooja or not? If yes how?
Thank you,
My father died on the morning of November 16th, 2010 in Ahmedabad Gujarat due to cancer and Agnida was given on next day November 17th 2010. Please let me know Shradh date.
I am living in New York, as a daughter can I perform the shradh pooja or not? If yes how?
Thank you,
@Namrata...Tithi based Shradh Tithi is corresponding to 20th dec 2004...is Margashrish Shukla Paksha Navami as per traditional Hindu calendar followed in North India.
In 2011 this is on December 3, 2011.
You can perform shradh for her on Mahalaya day - Sept 27, 2011. This is common annual shradh for all people.
@ November 16th, 2010 in Ahmedabad Gujarat ...The Tithi based Shradh is on Kartik Shukla Paksha Dasami as per traditional Calendar followed in Gujarat.
In 2011 this is on November 5, 2011 till 1:34 PM.
You can perform Shradh there is no daughter son difference in these rituals as per Vedic tradition
You can perform shradh for him also on Mahalaya day - Sept 27, 2011. This is common annual shradh for all people.
my maternal uncle (mama)died on the 28th aug 1980. what is his shraddh date. and the other mama dies on 4th sept 2007. what is his shradh date? what period did they pass away? i want to know if they have been born again if yes, in what period and in what form have taken their re-births? thks.
my maternal uncle (mama)died on the 28th aug 1980 - his tithi is Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha Tritiya.
other mama dies on 4th sept 2007 - Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha Ashtami.
This is based on North Indian Panchang and Calendar.
We do not know about rebirrth etc.
My grand mother passed away on 14 sept 2010, in my home there is a dispute regarding when to start Shraddh in the name of her. some body is saying it should be shraddh's third year and somebody is saying we should start from current year only... Please advise ASAP....
Himanshu
@Himanshu.. You should start from the current year.
CAN WE EAT EVERYTHING DURING SHRADH DAYS.
No you are only supposed to eat vegetarian food.
how do we calculate the date of shradh?
a relative of mine died on 20 feb 2005, whats is supposed to be his date and day of shradh??
Hello Sir,
Jus wanted to put a word of appreciation here. . Nice work done by you.
Glad to see people trying to preserve Hinduism and helping others.
Keep up the good work.
relative 20 feb 2005...the shradh can be tithi based or rashi based or naskhatra based. It depends on which you follow i will give you tithi based as per North Indian calendar.
Tithi based Shradh is on Magh Shukla Paksha Dwadashi. 12 day during the waxing phase of moon in Magh month.
when am i suppose to do the shradh if my relative expired on 17 november 2009
1.recite maha mrithyunjaya manthra , vishnu sahasranamam and adithya hridaya sthothram every day
2. avoid eating food in apersons home if he has not performed shradha for his mother or father .
3. in any temple where they offer free lunch to devotees, there, pay for 24 persons lunch and take a receipt from the temple.
4. take a bath on mahalaya amavasya in the sea
5. offer food to crow and dogs during the 15 days period
6. if possible, perform shradh for your father at gaya and mother at mathru gaya near ahmedabad
17 november 2009...you can do it during Mahalaya on Sept 27, 2011 or on her tithi.
mother passed away on 28th April 2003.On which day of shraad period of 16days I should observe her shraad
@ Navin...During Mahalaya on Sept 27, 2011 is the best day to do it.
is this shradha can be performed at home or only at temples ?
Hi I am a bramin guy and nobody to guide me correctly want to know a thing from u all that my dad passed away on 25 feb 2011 i wanted to know on which 3 days i have to perform first year rituals. Kindly advice.
Is it right to give shraadh in room where we have placed GOD's photos.... Pooja room... As per our Hindu mythology , will that be accepted by our ancestors by giving like this... Kindly advice...
Respected Sir,
I am a Gowda Saraswat Brahmin. My father who was born on 14th December 1921 passed away on 25th February 2011 at 6.00 am.
When should i perform the annual sraddh.
I have an elder brother but he is unable to come and hence i should do the shraddh.
When should I do the same. Please let me know if i can do on a sunday in this month or the coming month
or only on specific days given by you.
I am presently in Udupi. How simple can I perform this and can i do it in udupi also.
If any one is there in udupi to help me perform this in udupi please let me know on my mobile given below.
With respects and regards,
lakshman prabhu
16.02.2012
+919844037196
HI, I am a namboothiry from Kerala. My father passed away in 2011 on Oct 3rd (Krishna Paksha Ekadasi). Can someone advise me when his Shraddha will occur in 2012? We can then make travel plans. Thanks, Sreevidya
My mother died on 7th August 2011.
Can you tell me which date should we perform the first Shraadh (Barsi). And also how to perform (the method with mantras).
My father (deceased husband) and brother(deceased son) are alive.
thanks and regards
Deepali
Hello Sir,
My father died on 10th march 2004 at around 7.00PM to 7.30PM in Bangalore.Kindly inform me on which day I can perform shradda for my father in the yaer 2012.....
Respected Sir
I am a Keralite from Singapore.Since we do Bali (Similar to Sradam)during Adi Ammavasai.If I want to do sradam for departed relatives either no children or have children who are ignorant about it, being a lady can I do prayers on their behalf?
Respected Sir
I heard that donating cow on behalf of departed parents and relatives are very good for the souls. Is ther any specific time, day or month we can do the donation?
No there is no specific time for this donation.
@Keralite from Singapore...Yes ladies can do this shradh it is very kind of you think like this. You can do it.
@Ksh...You can do Tithi Shradh or Nakshatra Shradh. But both this has passed for 2012. Another option is to perform it during Mahalaya Shradh this on October 15, 2012. This day is highly auspicious.
@Deepali...You should find out from a priest in your community or temple about how you calculate shradh date. Some people follow tithi...for some it is Rashi. Find this out and we can calculate accordingly.
@Balu and Sreevidya...October 3, 2011 was not Ekadasi...If the date is correct then it is on October 21, 2012.
In case of death of a relative or a family member, how many days mRtaSaucham should be observed(not visiting others, not attending auspecious events etc)?
MY FATHER EXPIRED ON 10TH DECEMBER 2011 BETWEEN 1 A.M. TO 5 A.M. (NO EXACT TIME) I WANT TO KNOW HIS SHARD DATE. ANY OTHER DUTIES WHICH HAVE TO PERFORM BY HIS SON, PLEASE SPECIFY, I WILL BE THANKFUL TO ALL OF YOU.
ANIL
my father was expired on 10th december 2011 (between 1 A.M. TO 5 A.M.)when will be his shardh date, any other duties which son has to perform for his father mukti, please specify, i will be so kind of you.
anil
@Tittoo please mention your region as it is necessary.
Another option is to perform the Shradh on Mahalaya day on October 15, 2012
my region is Delhi
Om
My father died 22 may 2002 it was Wednesday wen n which day we should sharad for him.
Please mention from which region and also find out your community performs tithi, rashi or nakshatra based Shradh.
Hi What Shradh date should I follow? My father passed away on July 28, 2008 in the NJ, USA.
My father died July 28, 2008 in NJ, USA. What shradh date should we follow? Does the time of death make a difference?
my father passed away on July 14th 2004 at 23:57 hours at Bhubaneshwar, India. When is his shraddha date for 2012
Sir, My Mother passed on 09th march 2009 & my father passed away on 09th may 2012. What will be their pitrpaksha shradh dates?
my grandfather died on date 09/09/1991 at 12.30pm afternoon. please tell me the tithi date and month to perform is rights on rameshwaram for tharpanam..
Hi, My brother passed away on 24/8/2012 at 1829hrs.
May i know he's Thithi date pls.
hello astha here
my mom expired on 6th oct 2011 dusshera day.so so what is the difference b/w barsi and shraadh or it is the same
My father died first then my mother died within one year.Please help me to know how their first annual rituals will be performed. Please mention the source ( book,page no. )of your answer.
@Astha it is not same for some communities. Shradh should be performed annually on the tithi
@ anonymous...This depends on what your community follows is it tithi based shradh or rashi based shradh.
Continuation of August 31, 2012 2:20 PM. Thanks to Mr. Lal & others for your comments. What I actually wanted to know whether the First annual rituals of my parents will be held on a single tithi or on respective tithis. If on a single day then on whose tithi ( give ref bbook, page no. ) We are hindu kayastha family. Please read my above dated comment & help me.
My sister died on 28th nov 2002, can you tell me which day tithi to be performed regards sonu
My mother died on 30 Aug 2010, can you tell me the tithi and on which date in Oct 2012 can we perform her shraddh. Regards
@Sonu...if your sister was married and her husband is alive then you should perform Avidhava Navami Shradh on October 9. To find out tithi please mention which calendar you follow.
@Anonymous...if your father is alive then he should perform Avidhava Navami Shradh on October 9 for your mother. To find out tithi please mention which calendar you follow.
Hello, My father passed away on Sept 30 in India. I live in California. Can you please advise the tithi to do his shradh? also, can women perform this ceremony? most south indian temples say only men are allowed. Please advise.
My father died on May 18th 2011 between 1pm and 5pm in New Delhi, his rashi is "Kumbh", he was a khatri punjabi. what is his first Shraadh date and how should I perform this, any specific puja/mantra I should follow, please advise.
Daughter seeking advice.
@California...Which year did your father die? Women should come forward and perform shradh. You have all the right to offer food and water to your dead parents and ancestors.
@ His tithi as per North Indian calendar is Jyeshta Krishna Paksha Pratipada Tithi - the first day during the dark phase of moon in Jyeshta month. This was on May 7, 2012. You can now offer Shradh on October 15, 2012 which is Sarva Pitru Amavasya - a day to perform shradh to all ancestors including your father.
You can on the day offer rice and water to your father.
My mother passed away on 15th November 2008. Can you tell me on which date i should perform shradh in 2012.
Regards Shishir
very informative post i like it. Thank You..
hi
MY Dad Expired on 6th dec 2009.
Please tell me the date for performing the shraadh in 2012.
@Shishir...please mention the calendar you follow. During Mahalaya you can do Shradh on October 15.
@Anony...6th dec 2009...Pls mention the calendar you follow to find out tithi.
calender?
lal we follow hindu calender as per i know
Is there a book on the details (mantras etc ) about pitra paksh
Dear Sir,
My Mother passed away on 16th Octber 2002 at Chennai,TN.On which date i have to perform annual Sharadha.Can i do both mahalya shradh and annual shradh on 15th October 2012.
Sudhakar
Dear Sir,
im confused with 2 priest one is saying 1st yr shrad(barsi)to be done in the 11th month as per tithi and the other says to be done in the 12th month as per tithi.
please let me what is the correct one 11th or 12th month
shailendra
My father expired on Dec 23rd 2008 at around 8:30pm. Can I know the exact date for performing Shraddham in 2013.
my father expired on 20/01/2011 at trivandrum,please let me know on what date shall i perform shraddha probably at which place
sudhipriyabanumanu@gmail.com
my father expired on 20/01/2012 at trivandrum please let me know on what date shall i perform shraddha probably at which place
my father expired on 20/01/2011 at trivandrum,please let me know on what date shall i perform shraddha probably at which place
sudhipriyabanumanu@gmail.com
Hi.
My father passed away this year on 20th February, 2012. I want to know on what date in 2013 should I perform the first "Barsi" Shraddh ceremony ? There seems to be some confusion among Pandits around the date hence checking. I look forward to your reply
Regards
Dipankar
dipankar.bose@integreon.com
What would be the date for Shraddh for my father who passed away on Sept 3, 2011.
Thanks,
Hi,
Plesae let us know the thithi for 9th July 1993 friday, we lost our grandfather on the same date and we want to know the thithi for annual shrad.
To know Shradh date please mention the region or calendar you follow.
when will be 1st year barsi date for death on 23.04.2012?
My mother passed away 2yrs back. As a Maharashtrian , she liked Non-veg food. Is it ok to offer her non-veg food on her barsi ? (death anniversary)
Thank You.
@Barsi date...pls find out what you follow tithi or rashi or nakshatra.
@ you can offer non veg food. There is no problem.
My father expired on the morning of 23rd March 2011 between 4 Am and 5:30 AM India time. It was on the Chaturthi of Krishna Paksh that year.
When will his annual Shraddh date fall in 2013, is it falling on the 30th March of 2013? What date exactly should we Perform the Puja?
Thanks very much for your help and guidance.
It is on March 31, 2013. You need to perform the shradh morning before 8:25 AM.
My grandmother expired on 3rd june 2012( morning around 6 30 am) , can you please tell me the date for her barsi in 2013?
Thanks
My grandfather expired on 30th may 2012 in new delhi. It was navmi and this year around that time, navmi is on 2 june or 19 may.
There are some pandits saying that barsi pooja should not happen in june.
Kindly clarify the confusion and tell us which day to perform the barsi pooja.
Thankyou.
Post a Comment
All comments are moderated and will appear only after approval. If you like to contact me - hindublog@gmail.com.