Pitru Paksha 2024: Complete Guide to Shradh Dates, Rituals, and Traditions
Shradh, or Pitru Paksha, is a 15-day period in the Hindu lunar calendar dedicated to honoring deceased ancestors. It typically occurs in the month of Bhadrapada, starting from the full moon (Purnima) and ending on the new moon (Amavasya). During this time, people perform rituals to pay respect to their forefathers, seek their blessings, and ensure peace for their souls.
Significance of Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha holds great cultural and spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is believed that during this period, ancestors’ souls descend to the earthly realm to accept offerings from their descendants. Performing Shradh rituals helps express gratitude to the ancestors, brings blessings, and is believed to ensure prosperity, health, and family harmony.
Key Rituals and Customs of Shradh
The Shradh rituals can vary, but some common practices include:
- Tarpan: Offering water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, and flowers to ancestors.
- Pind Daan: Offering round balls (pindas) made of rice, barley flour, and black sesame seeds as a tribute to the deceased.
- Feeding Brahmins: Offering food to Brahmins and the poor is considered auspicious during this time.
- Fasting: Some devotees observe a fast on the day they perform the Shradh ritual to show respect.
Important Dates for Pitru Paksha 2024
- Pitru Paksha Start Date: September 18, 2024
- Pitru Paksha End Date: October 2, 2024 (Mahalaya Amavasya)
- Pratipada Shradh: September 18
- Panchami Shradh: September 22
- Ashtami Shradh: September 25
- Mahalaya Amavasya: October 2 (The most significant day, marking the end of Pitru Paksha.)
Key Shradh Dates:
| Date | Shradh | Tithi Begins and Ends |
| September 17, 2024 | Purnima Shradh | Purnima Tithi Begins – September 17, 2024 at 11:44 AM Purnima Tithi Ends – September 18, 2024 at 08:04 AM |
| September 18, 2024 | Pratipada Shradh | Pratipada Tithi Begins – September 18, 2024 at 08:04 AM Pratipada Tithi Ends – September 19, 2024 at 04:19 AM |
| September 20, 2024 | Dwitidya Shradh | Dwitiya Tithi Begins – September 19, 2024 at 04:19 AM Dwitiya Tithi Ends – September 20, 2024 at 12:39 AM |
| September 20, 2024 | Tritiya Shradh | Tritiya Tithi Begins – September 20, 2024 at 12:39 AM Tritiya Tithi Ends – September 20, 2024 at 09:15 PM |
| September 21, 2024 | Chaturthi Shradh | Chaturthi Tithi Begins – September 20, 2024 at 09:15 PM Chaturthi Tithi Ends – September 21, 2024 at 06:13 PM |
| September 22, 2024 | Panchami Shradh | Pancha Tithi Begins – September 21, 2024 at 06:13 PM Panchami Tithi Ends – September 22, 2024 at 03:43 PM |
| September 23, 2024 | Sashti Shradh | Sashti Tithi Begins – September 22, 2024 at 03:43 PM Sashti Tithi Ends – September 23, 2024 at 01:50 PM |
| September 23, 2024 | Saptami Shradh | Saptami Tithi Begins – September 23, 2024 at 01:50 PM Saptami Tithi Ends – September 24, 2024 at 12:38 PM |
| September 24, 2024 | Ashtami Shradh | Ashtami Tithi Begins -September 24, 2024 at 12:38 PM Ashtami Tithi Ends -September 25, 2024 at 12:10 PM |
| September 25, 2024 | Navami Shradh | Navami Tithi Begins – September 25, 2024 at 12:10 PM Navami Tithi Ends – September 26, 2024 at 12:25 PM |
| September 26, 2024 | Dashami Shradh | Dashami Tithi Begins – September 26, 2024 – 12:25 PM Dashami Tithi Begins – September 27, 2024 – 01:20 PM |
| September 28, 2024 | Ekadashi Shradh | Ekadashi Tithi Begins – September 27, 2024 – 01:20 PM Ekadashi Tithi Ends – September 28, 2024 – 02:49 PM |
| September 29, 2024 | Dwadashi Shradh | Dwadashi Tithi Begins – September 28, 2024 – 02:49 PM Dwadashi Tithi Ends – September 29, 2024 – 04:47 PM |
| September 30, 2024 | Trayodashi Shradh | Trayodashi Tithi Begins -September 29, 2024 – 04:47 PM Trayodashi Tithi Ends -September 30, 2024 – 07:06 PM |
| October 1, 2024 | Chaturdashi Shradh | Chaturthi Tithi Begins – September 30, 2024 – 07:06 PM Chaturdashi Tithi Ends – October 1, 2024 – 09:39 PM |
| October 3, 2024 | Sarva Pitru Amavasya | Amavasya Tithi Begins – October 1, 2024 – 09:39 PM Amavasya Tithi Ends – October 3, 2024 – 12:18 AM |
How to Perform Shradh at Home
While many prefer performing Shradh at pilgrimage sites such as Gaya or Haridwar, it can also be done at home. Here’s how:
- Choose a clean, peaceful area in the southern part of your house.
- Perform Tarpan and Pind Daan with the help of a knowledgeable priest.
- Prepare food offerings such as kheer, puris, and seasonal fruits to be given to Brahmins or the needy.
- Conclude the ritual by praying for the peace and salvation of your ancestors.
Puja Materials for Shradh: The Shradh puja should be performed by a knowledgeable Brahmin. Key items needed for the ritual include sesame seeds, urad dal, rice, barley, water, root vegetables, custard apple flowers, and fruits. It’s essential to conduct the puja with sincerity and devotion, and it’s advised to remain calm and avoid anger on this day.
Donations During Shradh Paksha: One of the main practices during Shradh Paksha is giving donations. Offering food, particularly kheer and puris, to Brahmins and the poor is considered highly auspicious. Additionally, feeding crows holds spiritual significance, as they are believed to represent ancestors. Place food on a plate and invite crows to partake. Beyond this, donating sesame seeds, cows, and even gold is also considered meaningful during this period.
To whom should donations be made during these days ? > During these days, donations should be made to Brahmins and the poor and miserable people.
What things should be donated on Shradha Paksha ? > On the auspicious occasion of Shradh Paksha, food grains, cow, sesame seeds, gold, fruits etc. should be donated.