On Anant Chaturdashi, after saying goodbye to Lord Ganesha, the 15-day Pitru Paksha or Shradh period begins. It begins on the full moon day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada and ends on the new moon day of Krishna Paksha as per the Hindu calendar.
Shradh rituals are performed for our ancestors during the period of Pitru Paksha. Offering food offerings and tarpan to the souls of our ancestors brings peace, their blessings remain on the family. The Shradh ritual helps the ancestors to attain Moksha or Moksha.
Pitru Paksha 2022: Significance
The souls of our ancestors reside in Pitruloka and descend on earth during Pitru Paksha. According to Hindu religion, the family members of the deceased perform Shradh during this time to honor the ancestors. The ceremonies performed during this period help the souls of our ancestors to attain Moksha or Moksha.
Pitru Paksha 2022: Dates
Pitru Paksha starts from today 10th September (Saturday) and will end on 25th September this year (Sunday). The timings of Kutup Muhurta, Rohina Muhurta and Aparna Kaal for 10th September are as follows:
Kutup Muhurta: 11.53 am to 12.43 pm
Rohina Muhurta: 12.43 pm to 1.33 pm
Aparna Kaal: 1:33 pm to 4:03 pm
Pitru Paksha 2022: Rituals to do at home
On this special day the oldest member of the family takes a bath, wears new clothes and wears a ring of Kush grass.
– Kush grass is used to attract the dead and is considered as a goodwill offering.
A wooden table which is kept facing south is covered with white cloth.
After this the ancestor’s photo is installed on a table which is covered with barley and black sesame.
After that, rice balls are given to the deceased known as Pind Daan.
Rice balls offered are made from honey, rice, goat’s milk, sugar and sometimes barley.
After that, water, flour, barley, kush and black sesame are mixed together to offer the tarpan.
After the prasad is over, the Brahmins are invited to the house on the last day and they are fed.