Pitru Paksha, the 15-day lunar period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, will begin on September 20 this year. According to the Hindu calendar, it usually falls in the lunar month of Ashwin which begins on the full moon day of Bhadrapada or the day after the full moon. Pitru Paksha will end on 6th October i.e. Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya.
According to Hindu beliefs, these 15-16 days mark the presence of ancestors on earth who come to bless their offspring and their children. Hindus offer food to dogs, cows and crows as part of the ritual. It is believed that the food given to these animals and birds is fed to the dead ancestors.
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Know about Shradh rites and rituals
The eldest member of the family, especially the eldest son, starts the ritual after the holy bath by wearing clean clothes and a ring made of Kush grass. Kush is a symbol of mercy and is used to invoke ancestors.
After that keep a wooden table covered with white cloth in the south direction. Black sesame and barley grains are spread on the table and the picture of ancestors is put on it.
Devotees then invite their ancestors and offer ‘pinds’ in the form of rice balls which are usually made of ghee, honey, rice, goat’s milk, sugar and sometimes barley.
After the pind ‘Tarpan’ is performed where flour, barley, kush and black sesame mixed with water are offered. Once the Pind and Tarpan are done, food is offered to the poor and needy people.
Pitru Paksha 2021: Significance
According to Hindu Puranas, it is believed that Hindus owe a karmic debt to their ancestors and try to repay it by performing ‘Pinda Daan’ during Shradh. It is said that the Pind Daan performed by the generations to come on earth fulfills the unfulfilled wishes of their ancestors and ensures their entry into heaven.
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