Pitru Paksha 2021 Start & End Dates With Shradh Day-Wise Timings Schedule: Know Significance, Shradh and Tarpan Rituals To Pay Homage to Ancestors
During the time of Pitru Paksha, people perform the annual puja for their ancestors, praying for their peace in the afterlife. It is a time where those who were unable to offer their annual homage according to the Hindu calendar can do so. Many people offer food to the poor and seek blessings from their ancestors.
Pitru Paksha is a 16-day period in the Hindu calendar where people pay homage to their ancestors by offering them food, refraining from consuming certain types of food and praying to the almighty through various religious ways. This observance is also known as Mahalaya Paksha Shraddha. Pitru Paksha 2021 will be observed from September 20 to October 6. This annual observance is said to be a period of mourning, and people avoid performing any happy deeds or new beginnings during these times. As we prepare to commemorate Pitru Paksha 2021, here is everything you need to know about this observance.
When is Pitru Paksha 2021?
Pitru Paksha will be observed from September 20 to October 6 this year. The first date of Pitru Paksha, according to the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, falls on the full moon day in the month of Bhadrapada. At the same time, North Indians consider it to be on the lunar month of Ashwin, beginning on the full moon or on the next day.
Pitru Paksha 2021 Dates & Observance
Below is the list of the 16-day observance of Shraddha 2021 -
| Name | Date | Tithi Begins | Tithi Ends |
| Purnima Shraddha | September 20 | Purnima Tithi Begins at 05:28 AM on Sep 20, 2021 | Purnima Tithi Ends at 05:24 AM on Sep 21, 2021 |
| Pratipada Shraddha | September 21 | Pratipada Tithi Begins - 05:24 AM on Sep 21, 2021 | Pratipada Tithi Ends - 05:51 AM on Sep 22, 2021 |
| Dwitiya Shraddha | September 22 | Dwitiya Tithi Begins - 05:51 AM on Sep 22, 2021 | Dwitiya Tithi Ends - 06:53 AM on Sep 23, 2021 |
| Tritiya Shraddha | September 23 | Tritiya Tithi Begins - 06:53 AM on Sep 23, 2021 | Tritiya Tithi Ends - 08:29 AM on Sep 24, 2021 |
| Chaturthi Shraddha | September 24 | Chaturthi Tithi Begins - 08:29 AM on Sep 24, 2021 | Chaturthi Tithi Ends - 10:36 AM on Sep 25, 2021 |
| Maha Bharani Shraddha | September 24 | Bharani Nakshatra Begins - 08:54 AM on Sep 24, 2021 | Bharani Nakshatra Ends - 11:33 AM on Sep 25, 2021 |
| Panchami Shraddha | September 25 | Panchami Tithi Begins - 10:36 AM on Sep 25, 2021 | Panchami Tithi Ends - 01:04 PM on Sep 26, 2021 |
| Shashthi Shraddha | September 26 | Shashthi Tithi Begins - 01:04 PM on Sep 26, 2021 | Shashthi Tithi Ends - 03:43 PM on Sep 27, 2021 |
| Saptami Shraddha | September 28 | Saptami Tithi Begins - 03:43 PM on Sep 27, 2021 | Saptami Tithi Ends - 06:16 PM on Sep 28, 2021 |
| Ashtami Shraddha | September 29 | Ashtami Tithi Begins - 06:16 PM on Sep 28, 2021 | Ashtami Tithi Ends - 08:29 PM on Sep 29, 2021 |
| Navami Shraddha | September 30 | Navami Tithi Begins - 08:29 PM on Sep 29, 2021 | Navami Tithi Ends - 10:08 PM on Sep 30, 2021 |
| Dashami Shraddha | October 1 | Dashami Tithi Begins - 10:08 PM on Sep 30, 2021 | Dashami Tithi Ends - 11:03 PM on Oct 01, 2021 |
| Ekadashi Shraddha | October 2 | Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 11:03 PM on Oct 01, 2021 | Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 11:10 PM on Oct 02, 2021 |
| Dwadashi Shraddha | October 3 | Dwadashi Tithi Begins - 11:10 PM on Oct 02, 2021 | Dwadashi Tithi Ends - 10:29 PM on Oct 03, 2021 |
| Magha Shraddha | October 3 | Magha Nakshatra Begins - 03:35 AM on Oct 03, 2021 | Magha Nakshatra Ends - 03:26 AM on Oct 04, 2021 |
| Trayodashi Shraddha | October 4 | Trayodashi Tithi Begins - 10:29 PM on Oct 03, 2021 | Trayodashi Tithi Ends - 09:05 PM on Oct 04, 2021 |
| Chaturdashi Shraddha | October 5 | Chaturdashi Tithi Begins - 09:05 PM on Oct 04, 2021 | Chaturdashi Tithi Ends - 07:04 PM on Oct 05, 2021 |
| Amavasya Shraddha | October 6 | Amavasya Tithi Begins - 07:04 PM on Oct 05, 2021 | Amavasya Tithi Ends - 04:34 PM on Oct 06, 2021 |
As you can see, the Pitru Paksha dates and timings have two additional and auspicious observances - Bharani Shraddha and Magha Shraddha. Bharani Shraddha is done during Pitru Paksha when Bharani Nakshatra prevails during Aparahna Kala. The benefits of doing Bharani Shraddha are equivalent to those of Gaya Shraddha. Similarly, Magha Shraddha is done when Magha Nakshatra prevails during Aparahna Kaal. also known as Magha Trayodashi Shraddha. This is of great significance as Magha Nakshatra is believed to be ruled by Petras.
During the time of Pitru Paksha, people perform the annual puja for their ancestors, praying for their peace in the afterlife. It is a time where those who were unable to offer their annual homage according to the Hindu calendar can do so. Many people offer food to the poor and seek blessings from their ancestors. In some cultures, preparing food and offering it to the crows after performing specific puja is also a common tradition. Pitru Paksha is known to be a time to remember those who are not with us and pray that they attain peace.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 17, 2021 10:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).