Pitru Paksha is believed to be the time of the year when the ancestors visit their relatives on earth to accept gifts, food and water. This period is known to be an extremely auspicious time of the year when the deceased people of the family are remembered.
The 16–lunar day period, also known as Pitri Paksha/Pitr-Paksha, Pitri Pokkho, Sorah Shraddha, Kanagat, Jitiya, Mahalaya, Apara Paksha and akhadpak, Pitru Pandharavda or pitru paksh, and during this period auspicious rituals such as Pind Daan, Shradh and Pitru Tarpan are performed.
With the auspicious time of the year coming closer, here’s a few things you need to know about it.
PITRU PAKSHA 2023 DATE
As per Drik Panchang, this year, Pitru Paksha will start with Bhadrapada, Shukla Purnima on September 29, and will go on till October 14, Ashwina, Krishna Amavasya.
PITRU PAKSHA 2023 HISTORY
As per the Hindu belief system, three generations of ancestors, after their passing away, stay in a realm called Pitriloka. During Pitru paksha, every year, for sixteen days, Yamraja or Yama – the god of death frees them to visit their relatives and family members to accept gifts, food and water.
PITRU PAKSHA 2023 SIGNIFICANCE
During this time of the year, people offer food, water, and other gifts to their deceased ancestors with the help of priests and Brahmins. A few people are also known to visit the holy river Ganges to perform Tarpan, Shradh, and Pind Daan. They also invite Brahmins to their homes and offer satvik food, clothes and Dakshina.
SHRADH RITUALS
It is an extremely auspicious time of the year to perform Tarpan, Shradh and Pind Daan. People also mix water with white flour, black sesame, barley, and kusha grass, and offer Tarpan to their ancestors.
It is also believed that the deceased ancestors were satisfied with tarpan and Shradh at home is performed by inviting the Brahmins and performing the fore ceremony and then offering rice balls to the departed souls of the ancestors.
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