Pitron ke paksh mein

Praying for our ancestors is a small way of repaying the Pitri-rinn or the debt of life that we owe to them. No one can ever repay all that our parents have done for us. It is prescribed that we should do Shraadh for three generations upwards. So we should do Shraadh for our parents, grandparents and great grandparents. If one does not have time or if they do not know the dates, when their ancestors passed on, they can do Shraadh for all ancestors on the last day of the Pitr-Paksh. This day is called Sarva-Pitri-Amavasya; it falls on September 21, 2025. Interestingly, on this day one can do tarpan for anyone known or unknown to them. We believe that the souls for whom no one does Shraadh, remain in the cosmos in an unhappy and grieving state.

- PRIYA S. TANDON

We believe that if we are comfortably placed in our present life, our ancestors surely did good karma and we are reaping the benefits.

A time period has been set aside for everything in Indian culture. Just as there are fixed dates in the lunar calendar for festivals like Janmashtami, Diwali, Navratri... there are fixed dates for offering gratitude to our ancestors.

The Pitr Paksh or the Shraadh period starts on Poornima 7 September, 2025. The first Shraadh is on Pratipada, 8 September, 2025. The time or date in the lunar month, when a person leaves the body, determines the day on which his Shraadh can be performed by his progeny in times to come.

Parents are the progenitors who give us the gift of the human body. It is said that human birth is a rare gem, it is not easy to get it. When a child is born he brings with him the invisible chain of past-life karma. The prayers of his progeny from the past life, can still pray for the peace of his soul. So it is important to perform Shraadh with Shraddha. No school shall teach this to our children. We have to teach by example.

It is said that one day in Pitr-Lok is equal to one year on the Earth. While in Pitr Lok, our Pitrs (ancestors), come down to the earth to have a meal once in their day, which amounts to once in a year for us. The 15 day period that is allocated for Shraadh falls at this time.

The day on which they are allowed to come on the earth and accept a meal from their progeny is designated and fixed. It is believed that if the progeny of the deceased, offer food to Brahmins and do Pitr-Tarpan, the ancestors go back satisfied.