Pitru Paksha 2019: Important Dates, Significance And Time Of Shradh

Pitru Paksha is a 16 day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors through the offerings of food and money. It is celebrated from the Bhadrapada Poornima of Ashwin month to Amavasya of Ashwin month. Pitru Paksha dates keep changing every year. This year, it will begin from 13th September and will end on September 28 with the Amavasya also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya.

What is Shradh?

In this time period of 16 days, whatever we offer in remembrance of our ancestors is called Shradh. According to the scriptures, it is believed that those who have died come to earth in their subtle form and accept the offering of their kin.

Regarding Shradh, it is being said that Bhishma Pitamah had told Yudhishtar that the person doing the Shradh attains happiness in both worlds. Pitra give blessings to everyone according to whatever they want if they are pleased with the offerings of Shradh. 

Shradh dates

13 September - Purnima Shradh

14 September - Pratipada

15 September - Dwitiya

16 September - Tritiya

17 September - Chaturthi

18 September - Panchami Maha Bharani

19 September - Shashthi

20 September - Saptami

21 September - Ashtami

22 September - November

23 September - Dashami

24 September - Ekadashi

25 September - Dwadashi

26 September - Trayodashi, Magha Shradh

27 September - Chaturdashi Shradh

28 September - Pitra immersion, Mahalaya Amavasya
 
Who should do shradh?

Shradh is generally reserved for the son, but if there are no sons, then grandson, great grandson or widowed wife can also perform it. At the same time, the wife can perform Shradh if her husband is not present at the same place. However, on Sarvapitri amavasya or matamaha, the daughter's son can offer Shraddha for the maternal side of his family if a male heir is absent in his mother's family.