Pitru Paksha 2025: Everything You Should Know About

Every year, Hindus observe a sacred fortnight dedicated to their ancestors, known as Pitru Paksha or Shradh Paksha. In 2025, Pitru Paksha will begin on Monday, September 7, 2025, and end on Sunday, September 21, 2025, with the most significant day being Mahalaya Amavasya on September 21.

This period is not only about performing rituals but also about remembering one’s roots, expressing gratitude, and passing traditions to the next generation. While rooted in religious practices, Pitru Paksha also carries deep psychological, social, and cultural significance.

What is Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha literally means “fortnight of the forefathers.” According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it falls in the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) of the month of Bhadrapada or Ashwin, depending on the region.

It is believed that during these 15 days, the souls of ancestors (Pitrs) visit the earth. By performing Shradh rituals, families honor their departed loved ones and help them attain peace in the afterlife. In return, ancestors are believed to bless their descendants with prosperity and protection.

Pitru Paksha: Mythological Significance

The importance of Pitru Paksha is mentioned in several Hindu scriptures, including the Mahabharata, Garuda Purana, and Agni Purana.

• According to the Mahabharata, when Karna died and reached heaven, he was offered gold and jewels instead of food. On asking why, he was told that he had donated wealth but never offered food to his ancestors. Karna then prayed for a chance to make amends, and he was allowed to return to earth during Pitru Paksha to offer food and water to his forefathers.
• The Garuda Purana explains that performing Shradh during Pitru Paksha ensures that ancestors bless the family and prevent obstacles in life.

These stories highlight the spiritual duty of honoring one’s lineage.

Dates of Pitru Paksha 2025

• Start Date: Sunday, September 7, 2025
• End Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
• Mahalaya Amavasya: Sunday, September 21, 2025

If the exact date of a person’s death is not known, Shradh is usually performed on Mahalaya Amavasya, considered the most powerful day for ancestral offerings.

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Key Rituals of Pitru Paksha

1. Tarpan

Offering water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, and kusha grass while chanting mantras. This act is said to quench the thirst of ancestors’ souls.

2. Pind Daan

Offering rice balls (pindas) made with barley, sesame, and ghee. These symbolize nourishment for the ancestors.

3. Shradh Bhoj

Feeding Brahmins, priests, or the needy is considered equivalent to feeding one’s ancestors. In many traditions, special vegetarian dishes are prepared and served.

4. Feeding Animals

Cows, crows, and dogs are fed during Shradh. In Hindu belief, these beings act as messengers to the ancestors.

5. Charity

Donating clothes, food, and essentials to the poor is highly recommended during this period.

Do’s and Don’ts of Pitru Paksha 2025

Do’s:

• Perform Shradh with sincerity and devotion.
• Maintain a simple vegetarian diet.
• Feed the needy, animals, and birds.
• Observe cleanliness and purity during rituals.

Don’ts:

• Avoid buying new clothes, jewelry, vehicles, or property.
• Do not conduct weddings, housewarming, or festive celebrations.
• Refrain from consuming meat and alcohol.
• Avoid cutting hair, shaving, or trimming nails.

Pitru Paksha: Scientific and Logical Perspective

While Pitru Paksha is deeply rooted in faith, some aspects also align with practical wisdom:

• Seasonal change: This period falls around the monsoon-autumn transition, when digestive systems are sensitive. Hence, simple vegetarian food is recommended.
• Charity: Distributing food and essentials ensures community support, especially for the poor.
• Psychological healing: Remembering ancestors and performing rituals strengthens family bonds and provides emotional closure.
• Environmental respect: Feeding animals and birds promotes ecological balance and compassion.

Pitru Paksha: Regional Practices

• In North India, Gaya in Bihar is a major pilgrimage site for Pind Daan.
• In Maharashtra and Gujarat, families perform Shradh at home and temples.
• In South India, rituals include offering rice and sesame on banana leaves.
• In West Bengal, Pitru Paksha concludes with Mahalaya Amavasya, which also marks the beginning of Durga Puja preparations.

Takeaway

Pitru Paksha 2025, from September 7 to 21, is a sacred opportunity to remember ancestors with love and respect. The rituals of Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan are not just religious duties but also acts of gratitude, charity, and emotional connection.

Balancing tradition with modern understanding, Pitru Paksha reminds us that honoring the past strengthens the present and paves the way for a blessed future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When is Pitru Paksha in 2025?

Pitru Paksha in 2025 is from September 7 to September 21.

Q2. What is Mahalaya Amavasya?

It is the final day of Pitru Paksha, considered the most important day for Shradh rituals.

Q3. Can Shradh be done at home?

Yes, Shradh can be done at home with the help of a priest or by following family traditions with devotion.

Q4. Is Pitru Paksha only about rituals?

No, it is also about remembering ancestors, showing gratitude, and practicing charity, along with traditional rituals.

Q5. Why do people avoid celebrations during Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha is a time of remembrance and prayer, not festivity. That’s why weddings, housewarmings, or new purchases are usually avoided.

Q6. Why do we feed crows during Shradh?

It is believed that crows act as messengers to the ancestors, carrying offerings made during Shradh.