Pitru Paksha: A fortnight dedicated to the ancestors

Since time immemorial, every year in India, ancestors are given offerings and are prayed to during a certain time of the year known as Shraddha Paksha or Pitru Paksha.

- Pranjal Joshi

This period occurs in the months of September and October every year.

This year Shraddha Paksha started from 7th September (Purnima or full moon day) and will last till 21st September (Amavasya or no moon day), for a period of 15 days.

After birth, every man is indebted in so many ways.

He is indebted to ancestors as well.

This period of 15 days gives a chance to pay back that debt in the form of food offerings to the ancestors.

Offerings can be made as per likings of a particular ancestor, and it is offered on a particular date (as per Vedic calendar) on which that ancestor passed away.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya marks the culmination of the Pitru Paksha period and the beginning of the Devi Paksha.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya is dedicated to honouring all ancestors, including those who died on different lunar days, and those who died prematurely.

The Shraddha performed on this day pleases the souls of all the ancestors of the family.

Therefore, Shraddha should be performed for all the ancestors on this day.

On this day, there is a provision of Shraddha of all known and unknown ancestors.

Ancestors come down to earth on this day to accept offerings and bless their descendants.

The day following this marks the beginning of the Navratri season which is dedicated to Maa Durga.

Shraddha is prasad offered to the forefathers on a certain day.

The shraddha -patra or plate offered to the forefathers is then offered to the best of brahmins in the society.

It is the duty of all householders to offer foodgrains to all their departed forefathers.