Pitru Paksha 2022: The 15-day Hindu ritual begins on the full moon date of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. It is also known as Shradh and it ends on the new moon day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin. Hindus will observe these auspicious days from September 10 this year. The 15-day period before Navratri is known as Shradh, during which Hindus send food offerings to their ancestors in the form of ‘tarpan’ (prayers). Additionally, it is believed that honoring the dead during Pitru Paksha contributes to their liberation or salvation.
Pitru Paksha 2022: Date, Muhurta
According to the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha is celebrated fortnight after the ‘Ganesh Utsav’ and occurs in the second ‘Paksha’ (fortnight) of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September). This year, ‘Pitru Paksha’ will begin on September 10 and will go on till September 25, when the nine-day-long Navratri festival begins.
On this day, at sunrise, sesame, rice and other food items are offered to the ancestors. This is followed by ‘puja’, ‘havan’ and ‘daan’. No celebrations are allowed during this time, and nothing new can be bought. ,Read also: Mercury Retrograde 2022: Effect of Mercury Retrograde on Virgo,
The timings of Kutup Muhurta, Rohina Muhurta and Aparna Kaal on 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: History and Significance
‘Mahalay’ refers to the transition between ‘paternal side’ and ‘maternal side’. History Legend has it that when Karna, the hero of the Mahabharata, died and entered heaven, he was shocked to learn that every food item he touched had turned to gold, leaving him hungry. When Karna and Surya questioned Indra about the reason, he explained that although Karna had given gold to his ancestors in the ‘Pitr Paksha’, he had never given them food, and as a result, they cursed him. Acknowledging the ignorance of his ancestors, Karna vowed to return to earth for 15 days to perform ‘Shraadh’ ceremonies and offer food and water in his honor to seek forgiveness. The period of 15 days came to be known as ‘Pitru Paksha’ at that time.
Three generations of one’s ancestors are worshiped during Pitru Paksha. According to ancient texts, ‘Pitriloka’, the place between heaven and earth ruled by Yama, the god of death, is home to the souls of the last three generations. The generations before these three generations live in heaven and because of this they are not offered tarpan.
paternal calendar
September 10, 2022 – Poornima Shradh Bhadrapada, Shukla Purnima
11 September 2022 – Pratipada Shradh, Ashwin, Krishna Pratipada
12 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Dwitiya
13 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Tritiya
14 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Chaturthi
15 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Panchami
16 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Shashthi
17 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Saptami
18 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Ashtami
19 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Navami
20 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Dashami
21 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Ekadashi
22 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Dwadashi
23 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Trayodashi
24 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Chaturdashi
25 September 2022 – Ashwin, Krishna Amavasya