Pitru Paksha 2025 will begin from 7th September 2025 and will continue for 16 days. This sacred fortnight in Hindu tradition is dedicated to remembering and honouring our ancestors, offering them Shradh, and seeking their blessings for peace and prosperity.
Why Do We Perform Shradh in Pitru Paksha?
Hindu scriptures explain that our ancestors (Pitru) continue to guide us from the subtle world. By performing Shradh, we express gratitude and help them attain peace in higher realms. Ganesha says that those who sincerely observe Shradh during Pitru Paksha are blessed with prosperity, harmony, and spiritual strength. On the other hand, neglecting these rituals may invite Pitru Dosha, causing hurdles in family life.
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How Should Shradh Karma Be Performed?
Traditionally, Shradh is performed with the guidance of Brahmin priests. The rituals include pind daan (rice balls with sesame and ghee), tarpan (offering water with sesame), and donation of food and clothes. When performed with Vedic mantras by a Brahmin, the energy directly reaches the departed souls.
Yet, Ganesha reminds us that even at home, one can perform Shradh with devotion. What matters most is faith and sincerity rather than elaborate rituals.
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Performing Shradh at Home
Those who wish to perform Shradh at home may follow these steps:
- Choose a clean place and keep a symbolic picture or memory of ancestors.
- Light a diya and incense sticks.
- Offer water mixed with black sesame seeds three times, while remembering your Pitru.
- Prepare satvik food like rice, dal, vegetables, and kheer. Offer a portion to the ancestors before eating.
- Chant this mantra with devotion:
Hindi Mantra:
“ॐ पिता पितामहश्चेव तथैव प्रपितामहः ।
मातामहः तत्पिता च प्रमातामहकादयः ।
एते भवन्तु मे प्रीता प्रयच्छुन्तु च मंगलम् ।।”
English Mantra:
“Om Pita Pitamahashchaiva Tathaiva Prapitamahah |
Matamahah Tatpita Cha Pramatamahakadayah |
Ete Bhavantu Me Preeta Prayachchhantu Cha Mangalam ||”
- End with a silent prayer for the peace of departed souls.
Ganesha’s Final Advice
Ganesha says Pitru Paksha is a sacred duty. Whether through Brahmins or at home, Shradh performed with devotion ensures blessings and protection from ancestors.
For those who do not know the exact Vedic tithi of their ancestor’s death, Shradh may be performed on the last day of Pitru Paksha, known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya. In 2025, this falls on 21st September, and on this very day, a Solar Eclipse will also take place. Ganesha says that performing Shradh on this Amavasya will carry your prayers to all Pitrus collectively, bringing abundant blessings and freeing the family from ancestral obstacles.