Home » Pitru Paksha (Shradh Pooja) – A Tribute to Our Ancestors

Pitru Paksha (Shradh Pooja) – A Tribute to Our Ancestors

Everything about Pitru Paksha or Shradh Pooja

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Shradh Pooja in Pitru Paksha

The word Pitru Paksha is made by co-joining two words, where Pitru translates to ancestors and Paksha refers to a fortnight or a lunar phase. Pitru Paksha is a time that occurs in the lunar month of Bhadrapada and Ashwin in the Hindu calendar. Pitru Paksha spans 16 days. It is a period where the ancestors are remembered, honored, offered prayers, and food offerings are made. Pitru Paksha is observed across various cultures with names like Sorah Shraddha, Pitri Pokkho, Apara Paksha, Kanagat, and Jitiya. This year the Pitru Paksha will begin on Saturday, 10 September, and it will end on the 25 September 2022, which is a Sunday.

During the period of Pitru Paksha, Homage is paid to the ancestors by their family members, and Shradh Pooja is performed. Generally, the Shraddh Puja is performed by the male members of the family, and this puja includes many rituals. After the puja rituals, food delicacies that were once favored by the deceased when they were alive are prepared and offered in their name to the cow, crow, and dogs. The rituals of Pitru Paksha are performed to provide peace and Moksha to the souls of the departed family members. 

Legend of Pitru Paksha                                                                           

According to the legend of Pitru paksha, When Karna passed away, his soul transited to Heaven. During his stay in Heaven, Karna was offered only precious metal, flowers, and precious jewels, but he was not given any food to eat or any water to drink. This left Karna very hungry and thirsty. Upset with this treatment, Karna’s soul went up to Lord Indra and asked why he was not given food to eat. Lord Indra looked at Karna’s soul and said Karna, you have always offered pure gold, flowers, and precious gemstones to your departed ancestors, but you never offered any food to them. Karna replied that he did not know who his ancestors were, so he did not give food offerings. After listening to Karna, Indra gave him a period of 16 days to rectify his mistake. Karna understood his mistake and performed a Shradh during this period by offering food and water in the memory of his departed ancestors. 

It is believed that offering food to animals and birds provides happiness for the souls of the deceased and makes their journey to heaven a peaceful one. In the period of Pitru paksha, we often offer food to cows and crows. Nutrition plays a significant role in Pitru Paksha, and one can witness a variety of food delicacies being provided to the cows and the crow.

Why do Hindus pray for the souls of the departed ancestors during Pitru Paksha?

According to an ancient Hindu belief, once a person dies on this plane, their soul wanders between Heaven and Earth. The place between these worlds is known as Patal Loka, which is ruled by Lord Yamaraj (God of Death). When a person dies, many wishes, dreams, and responsibilities are left unfinished, which makes the souls of the deceased wander. The souls of our past three generations wander in the world ruled by Yamaraj. In the Patal Loka, the souls of the dead are restless and experience hunger, thirst, and pain. In the Yama Loka, the souls from our past three generations are said to be stuck, waiting to attain Moksha. During 12 months, Pitru paksha is the only full-time frame when the souls of the deceased can travel to our plane. This is the only time frame they feel contented, and their hunger and thirst are satisfied. Performing the Pitru Paksha for the deceased ancestors every year helps the souls of the departed ancestors to move one step ahead on the path of Moksha. 

During sixteen days, the souls of our deceased ancestors are said to visit Earth in the subtle form, also known as ‘Sukshma Deham.’ During their visit to our plane, the departed souls can see us, and they also experience how we feel about them and how dedicatedly we perform all the rituals related to the Shradh Pooja. Thus, while performing the Shradh pooja, we must follow all the traditions as stated in the Holy texts, as we should conciliate them and assist them with rising above to Heaven.

Some of these spirits are strong to such an extent that their endowments can change our destiny and bless us with a happy and successful life. People who suffer from Pitra dosha, too, must pay homage to their deceased ancestors by performing the Shradh Pooja. 

Thus, it is essential to perform the Shradh Pooja during the period of Pitru Paksha.

Pind dan

What Is Pind Daan?

Pind Daan is an obligation that each youngster needs to perform for his departed guardians. A cleric performs Pind Daan, and a food ball made of rice and wheat flour is proposed to the left spirits. Offering this unique food is considered Pind Daan. It is accepted that our predecessors accomplished moksha after playing out the Pind Daan.

Meaning of paying recognitions for perished precursors

Pitru Paksha or Shradh Pooja falls after the Full Moon Day and imprints the start of the waxing of the Lunar cycle. As per the Hindu religion, it is accepted that the spirits of the precursors dwell in Pitrulok, and they dive on earth during these 16-days of Pitru Paksha. Consequently, relatives guarantee that their progenitors achieve moksha (freedom) and do Pind Daan (offering food consisting of cooked rice and dark sesame seeds). It is a demonstration of conciliating the progenitors.

It is likewise accepted as an urgent time for those experiencing the ill effects of Pitru Dosha (when progenitors are distraught). For this, individuals perform different ceremonies and proposition food to the crow (creatures that address the dead). It is accepted that if the crow acknowledges the food offered, it demonstrates that precursors are satisfied. Nonetheless, assuming it won’t have the food provided implies that the progenitors are disappointed.

According to the Hindu religion, it is accepted that the spirits of the progenitors live in Pitru Loka, and they plunge onto earth during the Pitrupaksha. Thus, consistently during this time, the departed relatives perform Shradh to honor the precursors. The ceremonies performed during the Pitru Paksha assist the left spirits with accomplishing moksha or salvation.

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