Pitru Paksh Shraddh, Tarpanam or Shraddham are the various names used to describe the rituals performed for the dead relatives and ancestors in Hinduism. Shraddh holds an important place in rituals associated with Hindu religion and it is performed without fail by most Hindus. Apart from the immediate rituals after a death, there are also annual rituals like Pitru Paksh Shraddh in North India and
Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita talks about the journey of the dead and about the importance of the rituals dedicated to them. Annual Shraddh is usually performed during the Dakshinayana period (July to December). Prashna Upanishad indicates that the rituals performed on the first Krishna Paksha Amavasi during Dakshinayana period directly reach the Dead. In
Shraddh should be performed with a pious mind. The person who performs the Shraddh should realize that for his birth, body, knowledge, wealth and sanskar he/she is indebted to the ancestors. All that is there was given by the ancestors. So the rituals performed is accepting this fact and is sort of thanksgiving. Both male and female relatives of the dead can perform the rituals.
The rituals including the ‘pind dhan’ that are performed reach the dead ancestors through the rays of Surya (Sun.) It is said that a year of humans is a day for the dead and therefore the ancestors enjoy the fruits of the annual Shraddh throughout the year.
Another belief is that the souls of dead remain in peace in Pitru Loka as a result of the rituals performed by their children or relatives. It is also said that the dead bless them for this and it helps the children and relatives to lead a good life on earth.
Equally important is feeding the poor on the day. Whenever rituals dedicated to the dead are performed, people distribute food and clothes among the poor.
Usually the rituals are performed on a riverbank or on seashore. There are also temples in
The method of performing the rituals slightly varies from region to region. But the essence of the ritual is the same.
9 comments:
thanks for wonderful information ,its useful to new generation.
B
Thank you for this but can you please elaborate on this as I know that the 8th day is for sabhagyawatis. There are some days for very young ones but I do not know which day. I lost my newly born sister and brother some 42 years ago and now since both my parents are gone, I remember their death anniversaries. I would also like to do shradh for my brother and sister I mentioned therefore could you please let me know which shrad day I should consider. Many thanks, Bharati Patel
The entire period of pitru paksh is ideal; you can opt for the Mahalaya day which is very auspicious and this year it coincides with Somvati Amavasya. In 2008, it is on September 29. This is if you are North Indian.
Thanks for the vision regarding Pitra paksha.
I would like to know what ritual are to monitored while the priest or brahmins is performing. If suppose we dont find a priest what ritual we should perform
Thanks for the vision & importance of Pitra Paksha. 1. I would like to know about what ritual Priest or brahmin perform & what should be monitered.
2. If suppose we are not able to get a priest, what ritual we should do.
3. Is it neccessary that only married should perform or eldest person in a family should perform. I m staying far from parent's what should i do on a shradha day.
The Shradh rituals varies from region to region. The ideal choice would be to talk about it with the Temple priest or learned person from you region.
There is nothing to monitor - all that matters is that you perform the ritual with full devotion.
Anyone can perform Shradh.
And remember never let anyone fool you in the name of rituals...these are simple pujas that we perform to remember our ancestors.
Just giving a small amount of cooked rice and praying is more than enough. Take the advice of an elderly person whom you respect.
Hi Abhilash,
Thanks for the most useful information. I am living in Singapore for last 3 years and performing my mother's shraddha since i got married. But i am not aware of the actual rituals and i am following what my father use to do. But after reading about pitru paksh and shraddha in Vishnu puran, i learnt that i am not doing the rituals to the full extend. Because it involves priest (bramhin) and the person (pitru) we call to accept our offering/food on the day. my origin is from maharashtra, can you please tell me which is the best way i can perform shraddha in Singapore with unavailability of priest and relatives?
Thanks,
-Sachin
There are several temples in Singapore (South Indian) you can consult them or take opinion from elders in India. Mahalaya Pitru Paksha an important day for Shraddha is on September 28 and September 29, 2008. You can perform Tarpan on the day.
Thank you for a very helpful artticle. Can I just clarify, I am the youngest in my family and am not sure whether I am supposed to be observing the rituals. Also does the stuff about not buying new clothes etc during the fortnight apply to only those who are observing the rituals or does everbody in the family have to abstain from, for example, buying new clothes?
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