Shradh 2024: Save the Dates for Pitru Paksha

The adage “We reap what we sow” is well suited to the Pitru Paksha Shradh. Pitru Paksha rituals are performed during this 15–16 day period to cleanse oneself of negative karma and soothe the soul of one’s ancestor. As the Pitru Paksha Shradh 2024 draws near, let’s review the key Shradh dates, noteworthy customs, and advantages.

When is Pitru Paksha or Shradh 2024?

Pitru Paksh, also known as Shradh, begins on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, and ends on Wednesday, October 2. In between, several Pitru Paksh Shradh are carried out.

Shraadh Dates 2024

• Day 1: Purnima Shradh Date 2024 – 17th September 2024 (Tuesday)

• Day 2: Pratipada Shradh Date 2024 – 18th September 2024 (Wednesday)

• Day 3: Dwitiya Shradh or Dooj Shradh Date 2024 – 19th September 2024 (Thursday)

• Day 4: Tritiya Shradh Date 2024 – 20th September 2024 (Friday)

• Day 5: Chaturthi Shradh Date and Maha Bharani Shradh 2024 – 21st September 2024 (Saturday)

• Day 6: Panchami Shradh 2024 – 22nd September 2024 (Sunday)

• Day 7: Shashti Shradh and Saptami Shradh Date 2024 – 23rd September 2024 (Monday)

• Day 8: Ashtami Shradh Date 2024 – 24th September 2024 (Tuesday)

• Day 9: Navami Shradh Date 2024 – 25th September 2024 (Wednesday)

• Day 10: Dashmi Shradh Date 2024 – 26th September 2024 (Thursday)

• Day 11: Ekadashi Shradh Date 2024 – 27th September 2024 (Friday)

• Day 12: Dwadashi Shradh and Magha Shradh Date 2024 – 29th September 2024 (Sunday)

• Day 13: Trayodashi Shradh Date 2024 – 30th September 2024 (Monday)

• Day 14: Chaturdashi Shradh Date 2024 – 1st October 2024 (Tuesday)

• Day 15: Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Amavasya Shradh Date 2024 – 2nd October 2024 (Wednesday)

Meaning of Pitru Paksha or Shradh

The word “Pitru Paksha” is derived from the Sanskrit language, where “Pitru” means ancestors or predecessors, and “Paksha” means era. Every year during this time, individuals make food offerings in honor of their ancestors. It is one of the most important eras in the Hindu religion.

There is a belief that we can receive divine favors by honoring our ancestors or forefathers. Seeking the divine’s assistance is auspicious since it pleases the Hindu God, Pitru paksha shradh. But the primary purpose of this ceremony is to ask God to pardon the transgressions or past misdeeds of the ancestors.

Importance Regarding Pitru Paksha

In Hinduism, Pitru Paksha, also known as Shradh, holds great significance Hinduism for ages. Let us shed more light on this point below.

• Pitru Paksha Shradh is performed to make sure that our ancestors receive heaven and become one with God.

• Tarpan, or rituals of Shradh, brings peace to the departed souls.

• During Pitru Paksha, it is said that the ancestors visit Earth. That is why all the activities are done to bring calm to their souls and also get their blessings.

• It is believed that a world exists between the Earth and heaven called Pitralok. Here, ancestors of three generations reside.

• When someone dies from the next generation, one of the three ancestors moves to heaven to leave a place for the deceased soul.

• Lord Yama, the God of Death, looks after the Pitrilok. Therefore, Shraadh rites are a time to impress him as well.

• Performing Pitru Paksha ensures happiness in the rebirth of the ancestors.

• Apart from this, Pitru Paksh or Shradh is an important time for People who have Pitru Dosh in their horoscope.

Shradh’s function in Pitru Dosh

Understanding Pitru Dosh is crucial before diving into the Pitru Paksha Shradh rituals and dos and don’ts. Shradh or Pitru Paksha is an excellent period to get rid of Pitru Dosh, as everyone with this horoscope alignment knows. Pitru Dosh is a karma debt owed by our ancestors, which is said to have a detrimental effect on the following generation. It is thought that this will cause issues and obstacles for the current generation. Even the planets are moved from their appropriate homes during this period.

How to Treat Pitru Dosh

Pitru Dosh needs to be removed since it can raise issues. Here are a few methods for eliminating Pitru Dosh besides performing Shradh.

• Offer food to the needy – dogs, birds and the poor.

• Pay respect and spend time with elderly people.

• Donate to hospitals or to physically challenged people, especially during New Moon or Amavasya. Also, lighting a candle and feeding the Brahmins would add to the auspiciousness.

• Feed the cow and water the Banyan tree.

• Respect your wife or husband.

Pitru Paksh Rituals

It’s time to address how to perform Pitru Paksha Rituals. Let us understand them step-wise.

• The Pitru Paksh rituals are distributed for 16 lunar days. A specific Shraadh ritual is performed on each day.

• The eldest son of the family performs the Pitru pooja at home.

• The member performing the ritual has to wake up early in the morning and take a bath.

• The one performing has to be bare-chested and compulsorily wear a dhoti.

• After this, the person has to wear a ring made of Darbha grass. Mantras are then chanted in a belief to have the ancestors’ souls seated in the ring.

• During this, Lord Vishnu and Lord Yama (the Death God) are worshipped.

• Pind daan or Tarpan is then performed where cooked rice, ghee-applied barley balls and black sesame seed are offered to the sun’s hand. Water is then poured over it.

• Then comes the final step, where the cooked food is served to crows and dogs, as they are considered to carry the souls of ancestors during the time.

Pitru Paksha Benefits

People stay careful for the 16 long days to receive Pitru Paksha benefits. Believers make sure that everything is done in a proper manner to obtain the following benefits.

• It helps in eliminating Pitru Dosh in a horoscope. This also allows planets to come back to the right positions and houses.

• It also ensures that ancestors’ souls are satisfied and they can happily start their journey to heaven.

• If you successfully contribute to this duration, the karmic debts or the punishment of the past generations are also eliminated.

• It also maintains peace and the overall well-being of the living generation as well.

Pitru Paksha Do’s and Don’ts

During Pitra Pooja or Shradh, the following are the do’s and don’ts to be kept in mind. But to get more specific, you must consult a Pandit. This allows our ancestors to move to heaven peacefully.

• Do not purchase any new items during the 16 days of Pitru Paksha.

• Any auspicious activity apart from the Shraadh rituals must be avoided.

• Avoid non-vegetarian food items.

• The person performing the ritual must not cut his nails. Also, he should not have a haircut or shave his beard during that time.

• If possible, don’t wear slippers for 16 days at home. The Pitru or ancestors may feel disrespected if the eldest son wears chappals.

• The one performing the ritual should strictly follow Brahmacharya – a balanced diet, less talking, being polite, and avoiding any kind of love affair.

• Do not eat Gram, lentils, cumin, black salt, gourd and cucumber, and mustard greens.

• Use the door of your own house for Pind daan. Your ancestors’ souls benefit only within the boundaries of your home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When is Shradh 2024?

Shradh 2024 start date and end date are based on the Hindu Calendar. For Shradh 2024, the start date is 17th September, and the end date is 2nd October.

2. What is 15 days of Shradh?

The 15-day Shradh is called Pitru Paksha. It comes after Navaratr in the Hindu calendar, where rituals are done to pay homage to our ancestors and also bring peace to their souls.

3. What should not be consumed in Shradh?

Eating Raw grain and non-vegetarian food must be avoided. Thus, rice, pulses and wheat are not eaten during this period unless cooked for the ritual. Also, any kind of intoxication, like alcohol, is strictly prohibited.

4. What time is unsuitable for performing Shradh?

Performing Pitru Paksha Shradh during Shukla Paksha is considered unsuitable. Also, at night or during twin days (the sum of two dates on the same day) and on one’s birthday, Pitru Paksha must be avoided.

5. Can daughters do Shradh?

If there is no son to perform Tarpan during Pitru Paksha, then immediate male cousins are approached. When that is also not possible, daughters can perform rituals of Shradh or Pitru Paksha.

6. How to do Pitru Paksha puja at home?

The eldest son of the family takes a bath early in the morning. Then, he remains bare-chested and wears a dhoti to perform the Pitru Paksha Pooja at home. In this puja, cooked rice, sesame seeds, and ghee-coated barley balls are offered to the ancestors, along with mantras of Vishnu and Yama.