Pitru Paksha — the 16 days dedicated to ancestor worship — is one of the most important periods in the Hindu calendar for honouring the deceased. The Shradh rituals performed during this period are believed to provide peace to ancestor souls and to earn blessings for the living family. It is an expression of the Hindu understanding that death does not end relationships — the connection between the living and their ancestors continues and must be maintained with appropriate rituals.
Quick Answer
Pitru Paksha 2026: September 19 - October 2. Shradh performed on the tithi (lunar date) corresponding to the ancestor's death. Daily Tarpan (water offering with sesame) during the period. Most sacred site for Shradh: Gaya (Bihar), followed by Prayagraj Sangam and Varanasi. Pind Daan (rice ball offering) is the central ritual. Food offered to Brahmins, crows, and cows during Shradh.
The Significance of Ancestor Worship
In Hindu tradition, the relationship between the living and their ancestors is not severed by death — it continues in the subtle realms. The Pitru (ancestors) are dependent on their living descendants for specific ritual nourishment (Shraddha — the offerings made with faith). By performing Shradh, the living family expresses gratitude for the lives that made their own lives possible and provides spiritual nourishment that helps the ancestor's soul continue its journey. This practice creates a sense of continuity across generations that is both spiritually meaningful and psychologically profound.
Mahalaya — The Most Important Shradh Day
The last day of Pitru Paksha (Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya) is considered the most important Shradh day — offerings made on this day reach all ancestors, including those whose death date is unknown. In Bengal, Mahalaya marks the beginning of the Durga Puja festival — Goddess Durga is invoked, and the famous Mahishasura Mardini radio broadcast (first played in 1932) still marks Mahalaya morning for generations of Bengali families.
Performing Shradh Abroad
For NRI families, the simplest form of Shradh that can be performed at home: on the tithi of the ancestor's death during Pitru Paksha, perform Tarpan (facing south, offer water mixed with sesame seeds while reciting: 'Asmaakam pitru-naama amuk-gotra amuk-sharma/varma/devi [ancestor's name and gotra] trupyataam idam tila-mishtam salilam tarpayami' three times). Offer food to a Brahmin or donate to charity in the ancestor's name. Light a diya for the ancestor in the evening.
💡 Family tradition tip
Document your family's Shradh traditions — the specific tithi observed for each family member, the specific foods prepared (the ancestor's favourite dishes are traditionally made), the Gaya pilgrimage if undertaken, and any specific prayers recited. Ancestor worship is one of the most emotionally resonant Indian rituals — the specific foods made for a grandmother's Shradh, the specific prayers — connect the living to the departed in the most tangible way.