Rites of Shradh - Pitru Paksha 2024

thedivineindia.com | Updated UTC time: 2023-10-14 22:51:08

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Important information

Pitru Paksha 2024
Shradh Start Date : Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Shradh End Date : Wednesday, 02 October 2024

Pitru Paksha has a special significance in Hinduism. On the days of Shradh, in Hinduism, our ancestors are remembered and their gratitude is expressed. In Hindu religion, if the Pitrus is satisfied, then he blesses his family, due to which happiness, opulence and peace remain in the family.

In Hindu religion, one must do Shradh rites and Pind Daan of one's ancestors. There is a tradition of performing Shradh and tarpan of loved ones on Pitru Paksha. There is also a tradition of performing Shradh on Pitru Paksha. Shradh means reverence. When the Pitru Paksha begins, reverence for the ancestors is expressed. Blessings of ancestors are obtained in Pitru Paksha.

Dates of Shradh 2024 in Pitru Paksha

Tuesday, 17 September 2024 - Purnima Shraddha
Wednesday, 18 September 2024 - Pratipada Shraddha
Thursday, 19 September 2024 - Dwitiya Shraddha
Friday, 20 September 2024 - Tritiya Shraddha
Saturday, 21 September 2024 - Chaturthi Shraddha
Sunday, 22 September 2024 - Panchami Shraddha
Monday, 23 September 2024 - Shashthi Shraddha
Tuesday, 24 September 2024 - Saptami Shraddha
Wednesday, 25 September 2024 - Ashtami Shraddha
Thursday, 26 September 2024 - Navami Shraddha
Friday, 27 September 2024 - Dashami Shraddha
Saturday, 28 September 2024 - Ekadashi Shraddha
Sunday, 29 September 2024 - Dwadashi Shraddha
Monday, 30 September 2024 - Trayodashi Shraddha
Tuesday, 01 October 2024 - Chaturdashi Shraddha
Wednesday, 02 October 2024 - Sarva Pitru Amavasya

Recognition

According to Hinduism, the souls of three preceding generations of one's ancestors reside in Pitruloka, the region between heaven and earth. The region is governed by Yama, the god of death, who carries the soul of a dying person from the earth to Pitruloka. When the person of the next generation dies, the first generation goes to heaven and is reunited with the Lord, so the offering of Shradh is not given. Thus, only three generations in Pitruloka are given the shraadh rites, in which Yama plays an important role. According to the sacred Hindu epics, at the beginning of Pitru Paksha, the Sun enters Virgo. With this moment, it is believed that the souls leave Pitruloka and stay in the homes of their descendants for a month until the Sun enters the next zodiac sign - Scorpio - and there is a full moon. Hindus are expected to appease the ancestors in the first half of the dark fortnight.

Story Related to Shradh?

When the great donor Karna died in the epic Mahabharata war, his soul went to heaven, where he was offered gold and gems as food. However, Karna needed real food to eat and asked Indra, the lord of heaven, the reason for serving gold as food. Indra told Karna that he had donated gold throughout his life, but had never donated food to his ancestors in Shradh. Karna said that since he was unaware of his ancestors, he never donated anything in his memory. To make amends, Karna was allowed to return to Earth for a period of 15 days, so that he could perform Shradh and donate food and water in his memory. This period is now known as Pitru Paksha.

Rites of Shradh

The man who performs the Shradh should have done the purification beforehand and is expected to wear a dhoti. He wears a ring of Darbha grass. The ancestors are then invited to reside in the ring. Shradh is usually performed with bare chest, as the position of the sacred thread worn by them has to be changed several times during the ceremony. The Shradh includes Pind Daan, an offering to the ancestors of the Pindas (balls of cooked rice and barley flour mixed with ghee and black sesame seeds). In which water is thrown around the food by hand. This is followed by the worship of Vishnu (in the form of Darbha grass, a gold idol, or Shaligram stone) and Yama. The food is divided into several parts, a portion of which is given to the crow. The crow is believed to be the messenger of Yama or the soul of the ancestors. A cow and a dog are also fed, and Brahmin priests are also fed. After all this the family members can have food.

This has also been mentioned in brief Naradpuran (page 120) and by regularly reciting this miraculous Pitra Stotra mentioned in Markandeya Puran (94/3-13), the ancestors are pleased and fulfill the wishes of the praisers –

amr̥tānāṁ ca mūrtānāṁ pitarāṁ dīpatējasama!
Namasyāmi sadā tēṣāṁ dhyānīṁ yōgacakṣuṣam.

Meaning: I always offer my salutations to the corporeal ancestors as well as to the incorporeal ancestors, whose effulgence is shining everywhere, who are full of meditation and yogic vision.

Aarti

Mantra

Chalisa

Shri Shiv Chalisa

Stuti

Shivaratri Stuti

Stotram

FAQ(S)

When is Shraddha in 2024?

Shraddha in 2024 will start on Wednesday, 18 September 2024 and ends will on Wednesday, 02 October 2024.

When does Pitra Dosh end?

The Hindu date on which the ancestors die. Shraddha, Tarpan etc. should be performed on the same date in Pitru Paksha. By doing this, Pitra Dosh also goes away. For example, if a person dies on the third date of a Hindu date, then Shradh, Tarpan etc. should be performed on the third date of Pitru Paksha.

What is Pitra Dosh?

As per Hindu Dharam When after the death of a person, his last rites are not performed according to law or if a person dies prematurely, then the family of that person has to face Pitra Dosh.