Shraddh 2024 – Pitra Paksha – Kanagat

The time period between Bhadrapad poornima and Ashwin Amavasya is observed as Shraddh every year. In 2024, the shraddha will begin on the Poornima of Bhadrapad from 17 September to 02 October . In this period, the donations made in the name of the dead ancestors is performed in the form of Tarpan. Pitra Paksha is also known as Mahamalya or Kanagat. According to the beliefs in Hindu culture, when Sun enters the Virgo sign, the soul of ancestors comes to the earth to visit their sons and daughters.

Donation and special pujas organized during this period and are known as Shraddh. You can find a lot of detailed description on significance of Shraddha in various ancient scriptures. According to the Hindus, it is believed that the soul of the dead ancestors of a family residing in the Pitra Lok i.e a realm between the heaven and the earth visit earth at the time of Shraddh Paksha or Pitra Paksha. The ceremonies and Tarpan performed at this time for their peace is known as Shraddh. Thus, it is believed that whatever we donate in the name of our ancestors is  received by them also.

For instance, if an ancestor is born with Dev yoni then accordingly the brahmins or priests are fed on their date of death. This food is then believed to reach to the soul of ancestors in the form of amrit. Likewise, if the ancestors belongs to a gandharva lok then the food reaches him in the form of a prasad, in sarpa yoni is it received in the form of air, flesh if the soul belongs to danav yoni, blood in pret yoni, in the form of food when in manushya yoni  and so on.

Shraddha Sanskar

The religious work such as donation, tarpan, pind daan performed during this time for the peace of dead ancestor’s soul  is known as Shraddha.  Acording to the Vayu Purana, “ Mere Pitar Jo Pretroop Hain, Tilyukta Jaun Ke Pindo Se Veh Tripta Ho. Saath Hi Srishti Me Har Vastu Brahma Se Lekar Tinke Teh, Chahe Char Ho Ya Achar Ho, Mere Dwara Diye Jal Se Tripta Ho”.

In this sloka the significance of Shraddh in Hindu culture can be seen very clearly. It is believed that the tradition of performing Shraddh began in the Vedic times.

Reasons For Performing Shraddha

According to the ancient scriptures, during this period the departed souls of ancestors or forefathers leave the Yamaloka or abode of Yama and descend to earth to acknowledge the rites performed by their descendants. It is believed that whatever we donate in the name of our ancestors is  received by them also. According to the granthas, he Shraddha of Pitra Paksha involves oblations to three preceding generations by taking their names along with the name of the family tree. The person of first generation goes to heaven only when the person of second generation dies and hence the Shraddh for the person of first generation are not completed. Therefore, in Pitr Paksha the Shraddha of ancestors of three preceding generations is done to propitiate them.

The three generations of every family consists of father, grandfather and forefather. It is believed that they are considered to be equivalent to three devas. Father is worshipped s Vasu deva, Grandfather is worshipped as Lord Shiva and Forefather is equivalent to Aditya Deva. All these three souls represents other ancestors of the family as well. It is believed that the soul of the Pitra enters into the body of the descendant performing the tarpan, receives the food and go back after giving his blessings to all the family members.