According to Hinduism Krishna Paksha of Ashwin Month is celebrated in the form of Shraddh. Description of Shraddh Sanskar can be found in many religious books of Hinduism. Shraddh Paksha is also known as Mahalaya or Sarva Pitru Paksha. Shraddh means to perform ceremonies for the departed souls of dead ancestors so that they can attain peace. It is a ceremony to offer reverence to family, god, ancestors and children. In the year 2024, the Shraddh will begin
Every Shraddh begins from Bhadrapada Shukla Paksha Purnima and remains till Amavasya. Purnima is the first day on which the Shraddh is performed, and Amavasya is the last one. A person attains death on the basis of hind date and thus, his Shraddh is performed on the same date. People who do not remember the date of death of their ancestors can perform on Amavasya.
According to the Hinduism, 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 soul of the ancestors visit their home with a desire of pind-daan or tilanjali and if someone doesn’t perform it, they go back unhappy.
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.
Shraadh dates in 2024 Dates of Sharaddh
| Shraadh | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| full moon | September 17 | Tuesday |
| Pratapada | September 18 | Wednesday |
| second | September 19 | Thursday |
| third | September 20 | Friday |
| fourth | September 21 | Saturday |
| Panchami | September 22 | Sunday |
| Sashti | September 23 | Monday |
| Saptami | September 24 | Tuesday |
| Ashtami | September 24 | Wednesday |
| Navmi | September 25 | Thursday |
| decimal | September 26 | Friday |
| Ekadashi | September 27 | Saturday |
| (Magha Shradh) | September 28 | Sunday |
| Dwadashi | September 29 | Monday |
| Tryodashi | September 30 | Tuesday |
| Chaturdashi | October 01 | Wednesday |
| new moon | October 02 | Thursday |
Note:
Significance Of Shraddh
Shraddha ceremonies have a special significance in HIndu religion. It is believed, the ancestors fro Pitral Lok visit the earth during Ashwin Krishna Paksha. The soul of the ancestors visit their home with a desire of pind-daan or tilanjali and received a portion of their meal offered by their present generation, in the name of Shraddh. Thus, it is also believed that whatever we donate in the name of our ancestors is received by them also.
Shraddh is performed for the peaceful salvation of ancestors. Once can perform these ceremonies as per his potency for the ultimate salvation and peace of his ancestors.