Pitru Paksha 2026 Official Start And End Dates: Know Significance, Shraddha Vidhi And Rules

Pitru Paksha begins on Sunday, September 27, following Purnima Shraddha on September 26, and concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on Saturday, October 10. During this time, people remember and pay respects to their ancestors by performing Shraddha, Tarpan and Pind Daan according to their family traditions.

Many devotees also visit sacred places, offer food and water, perform charitable acts and pray for the peace of their ancestors.

Let's understand in detail what Pitru Paksha is, when it is observed, what the Shradh dates and how to perform puja at home.

What Is Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha, also known as Shradh Paksha, is a period of 15 days when Hindus pay homage to their deceased parents, grandparents or ancestors and pay them respects. Many families offer a variety of food to ancestors by feeding animals like cows, dogs, or crows.

It is believed that by feeding these animals, the food goes directly to ancestors who are happy and contented with the offering.

Pitru Paksha is a period of 15 days when Hindus pay homage to their deceased ancestors (Image: Pexels)

When Is Pitru Paksha Observed?

According to the South Indian Amanta calendar, Pitru Paksha falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada, beginning with the full moon day or the day after the full moon day.

While according to the North Indian Purnimanta calendar, this period falls in the lunar month of Ashwin, beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or the next day after the full moon day.

In North India, Pitru Paksha begins on Sunday, September 27, following Purnima Shraddha on September 26, and concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on Saturday, October 10.

For Pratipada, the Tithi begins at approximately 10:18 PM on September 26 and ends at approximately 8:58 PM on September 27, according to current Panchang calculations.

Pitru Paksha 2026: Shraddha Tithi Calendar

Shraddha is a ritual performed in the memory of the ancestors with sincerity and reverence. Here is the complete 2026 calendar for planning ancestral rites:

Note that some Gregorian dates contain more than one named Shraddha observance because lunar Tithis do not align exactly with midnight-to-midnight calendar days.

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How To Choose The Correct Shraddha Date?

Many people still don't know how to choose the correct Shraddha date for their ancestors. Traditionally, Shraddha should be performed on the same lunar Tithi on which the person or ancestor passed away.

For example, if an ancestor died on Dwitiya Tithi, Dwitiya Shraddha is generally observed for that person during Pitru Paksha. This applies to the Tithi rather than simply matching the Gregorian calendar date.

If you do not know the death Tithi, Sarva Pitru Amavasya is traditionally important for performing general ancestral Shraddha.

Best Time To Perform Shraddha

Instead of performing the rituals in Brahman Muhurat, Shraddha rituals are traditionally associated with the latter part of the day.

People can perform Shraddha rituals by taking into account these three muhurats:

Kutup Muhurat: Kutup Kala is traditionally considered an important period for beginning Shraddha rites.

Rohina Muhurat: Rohina follows Kutup and is also used for Shraddha rituals.

Aparahna Kala: Aparahna is the afternoon period, which is traditionally considered important for Pitru Paksha Shraddha.

Note: These timings change according to location and date.

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Pitru Paksha 2026: Shraddha Vidhi At Home

To perform shraddha at home, families need to follow these simple steps.

1. Clean The Puja Space

Clean the home and the puja space where the puja will be performed. Families should try to maintain a peaceful and respectful environment.

2. Take Sankalp

Before beginning the puja, one should take a sankalp, which can include ancestors' names, family lineage and other traditional details.

3. Offer Tarpan

Water is offered respectfully as part of the ancestral remembrance ritual. Black sesame seeds and other traditional materials may be used according to one's family custom.

4. Prepare Pind Daan

In traditions where Pind Daan is performed as part of the Shraddha ceremony. The ingredients and exact procedure can differ by tradition.

5. Offer Food

Prepare simple traditional food and make the prescribed offerings according to your family tradition.

6. Perform Prayers

Recite suitable prayers or mantras and remember the departed with devotion.

7. Donate and Feed

Many families perform charity by offering food to people in need, feed cows or animals, or make donations in memory of their ancestors.

Many families perform charity by offering food to people in need or making donations in memory of their ancestors (Image: pexels)

What Not to Do During Pitru Paksha

There are a few things one must avoid during Pitru Paksha:

• Unnecessary celebrations and extravagant entertainment.
• Consumption of alcohol.
• Consuming Non-vegetarian food in households.
• Disrespectful behaviour towards elders during the Shraddha period.
• Arguments and unnecessary negativity during the ritual.

Thus, Pitru Paksha is the time period when Hindus remember their ancestors and pay them respects by doing charity and donations.

FAQs

1. Which Tithi should be used for Shraddha?

Traditionally, Shraddha is performed according to the lunar Tithi on which the ancestor passed away.

2. Who Should Perform Pitru Shraddha?

Traditionally, Shraddha is associated with members of the family and is performed according to the customs of the particular lineage and community.