Pitru Paksha 2025

Pitru Paksha 2025 - Starting on 7th September has a duration of 15 lunar days (tithi). It starts immediately after full moon (Poornima) of the lunar month of Bhadraprada, and includes 15 lunar days of waning Krishna Paksha. The period concludes on the new Moon day known as Mahalya Amavasya or Sarv Pitru Amavasya, on 21st September.

This year it is more significant as the Pitru Paksha is starting on Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan) and ending on Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan). This alignment of celestial events is considered highly spiritually charged, intensifying the period's focus on ancestral remembrance. The presence of the eclipses means that the prayers and offerings performed during this Pitru Paksha are believed to be effective in honoring ancestral souls and the family line.

Accordinng to Vedic Astrology, ancestrals blessings are important for mitigating the negative effects of the planetory positions of Rahu and Ketu in the horoscope. Pitru Paksha, specially with this year eclipses, is considered an ideal time to perform remedies. Some practices include:

• Offering Water with seasame seeds

• Feeding Animals

• Engaging in Charity

Honoring the ancestors (Pitris): During Pitru Paksha, you can honor your ancestors through the rituals of Shradh and Tarpan, and through charitable acts. These rituals are believed to appease the souls of the departed, help them attain peace and liberation (moksha), and, in turn, remove obstacles for the living family members.  

Perform the Shradh and Tarpan rituals 

Traditionally, the eldest son or male descendant performs the rituals. However, in the absence of a male heir, other family members can also participate with pure intentions and devotion.  

1. Purify yourself. Begin by taking a bath early in the morning and wearing clean, traditional clothes. 

2. Prepare a sacred space. Set up a clean space, such as a courtyard or a designated area at home. You can place a photograph of the ancestor or represent them with sacred kusha grass, facing south. 

3. Conduct the tarpan ceremony. This ritual involves offering water to the ancestors. 

1. Fill a clean vessel with water and add black sesame seeds, you can also add rice, barley, and cow's milk, if available. 

2. Facing south, offer the water from your cupped right-hand palm tilted on the right side with your thumb out, while chanting mantras to invite your ancestors to accept the offering. If you do not know the mantra, you can simply remember them and ask them to bless you and your families, also pray for the ancestor's wellbeing wherever they are. 

4. Offer pind daan. Prepare pindas, or round balls made of cooked rice, sesame seeds, barley flour, and ghee. 

1. Place these on a banana leaf or leaf cups as an offering, symbolizing nourishment for the departed souls. 

2. After the ritual, offer the pindas to a cow, a crow, or immerse them in a flowing river.