Shraddh or Pitru Paksha Shraddh

Good afternoon friends,
I am going out for lunch at my wife Kajal’s parent’s house. My father in law is died before few years. Today is his Shraddh. So, I and my family are suppose to go to their house and have to take lunch with them. You all might be curious to know what is shraddh? Shraddh is a ritualistic custom which is unique in the Hindu Religion. Shraddh is the annual rituals dedicated to dead parents, relative and ancestors. Little details about shrddh are below.

What is Shraddh?
Shradh is a ritualistic custom unique to the Hindu religion.The Hindu scriptures which include the Vedas and the Puranas like the Agni puran, Garud puran, Vayu puran etc. explain the significance of “shraddh”, for whom it should be performed, who performs it, when and how it should be done.

Pitr Paksh Shradh, or Pitru Paksha Shraddh, is the annual rituals dedicated to dead parents, relatives and ancestors that are performed in the Krishna Paksha (dark phase) of the Ashwin month in Hindi calendar and on Bhadrapad in other regional calendars. The Mahalaya Sharadh Pitru Paksh fortnight begins with Purnima in Ashwin month. It is believed that the Shradh performed during this period is highly auspicious as it reaches the dead relatives immediately and therefore their souls rest in peace.

In 2008, Pitru Paksha Shraddh begins on September 15 and ends on September 29 with Mahalaya Shradh. It must be noted here that Mahalaya Shradh begins in the afternoon on September 28 and ends on noon on September 29.

Pitr Paksh Shradh dataes are as follow.

• Mahalaya Pitr Paksh Shradh begins on September 15, 2008 – Poornima Shradh
• Pratipada and Dwitiya Shradh – September 16
• Thritiya Shradh – September 17
• Chaturthi Shradh – September 18
• Panchami Shradh – September 19
• Shasti Shradh – September 20
• Saptami Shradh – September 21
• Ashtami Shradh – September 22
• Navami Shradh – September 23
• Dashami Shradh – September 24
• Ekadashi Shraddh – September 25
• Dwadashi Shradh – September 26
• Trayodashi Shradh – September 27
• Chaturdashi Shradh – September 28
• Mahalaya Shraddh Pitr Paksh ends - September 29 noon.

The most important date to perform Shraddh is the Mahalaya Shradh day. The rituals performed vary from region to region. But the essence and significance of the rituals are the same – remembering the dead parents and relatives and performing the sacred Shraddh rituals so that their souls rest in peace.

I need to go now. At home, all are waiting for me. we will talk more on Shraddh in next post.