Vishnupad Temple, Gaya
The most revered Pinda Daanam site in India. Many families travel to Gaya during Pitru Paksha; others perform Shraddha at home and plan a Gaya pilgrimage separately.
Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha (Sep–Oct) · Telangana · Andhra Pradesh
Pitru Paksha
Mahalaya Paksha — Shraddha, Tarpanam, and Pinda Daanam for your ancestors.
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Festival guide
About Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha is the fortnight dedicated to one's ancestors. In 2026 it runs from 26 September to 10 October, ending on Mahalaya (Sarva Pitru) Amavasya. Families perform Shraddha on the ancestor's tithi and offer Tarpanam with sesame and water, guided by a pandit.
Purpose
Pitru Paksha repays the debt to one's ancestors (Pitru Runa). Shraddha and Tarpanam offered with devotion are believed to nourish departed souls, bring them peace, and return blessings of health, harmony, and continuity to the family.
Pitru Paksha, also called Mahalaya Paksha, falls in the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada (Ashwayuja in the Amavasyant calendar used in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh). Shraddha performed in these days is believed to bring peace to departed souls and relieve Pitru Dosha.
Each ancestor's Shraddha is traditionally done on the tithi of their passing. Mahalaya Amavasya covers all ancestors, including those whose tithi is not known. Divine Center pandits perform the rituals at home, at river ghats, or guide NRI families live online.
Origins & heritage
History of Pitru Paksha
How this festival evolved across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The Garuda Purana and Dharma Shastras describe Shraddha as a core household duty. The Mahabharata tells of Karna, who in the afterlife received gold instead of food because he had never offered food to his ancestors; he was allowed to return to earth for a fortnight to perform Shraddha — the origin traditionally given for Pitru Paksha.
Gaya in Bihar has been the foremost Pinda Daanam site for centuries, and river ghats on the Godavari and Krishna serve the same role for Telugu families. Today many families combine home Shraddha with online sessions for relatives abroad.
Devotee guide
What you should do
Practical steps for families observing Pitru Paksha.
- Find the tithi of each ancestor's passing, or choose Mahalaya Amavasya
- Book a pandit early — demand peaks on Mahalaya Amavasya
- Arrange samagri: black sesame, darbha grass, raw rice, ghee, white flowers, and banana leaves
- Perform Sankalpam, Tarpanam, and Pinda Daanam with the pandit's guidance
- Offer Brahmana Bhojanam or Hiranya Shraddham, then Kaka Bali and Go Grasam
- Keep the day satvik — avoid onion, garlic, and non-vegetarian food
Day by day
How the festival unfolds
The typical sequence of rituals and events during this festival.
- 01
Morning: Bath, clean the space, and arrange samagri; the performer wears the sacred thread over the right shoulder (prachinaveeti)
- 02
Sankalpam: Pandit recites gotra and ancestors' names
- 03
Tarpanam: Sesame water offered through darbha grass, facing south
- 04
Pinda Daanam: Rice balls offered to three generations
- 05
Offerings: Brahmana Bhojanam or Hiranya Daanam; Kaka Bali and Go Grasam
- 06
Close: Concluding prayers; the family eats only after the rituals are complete
Temples & towns
Sacred places & local importance
Temples and cities where this festival holds special significance.
Godavari ghats, Rajahmundry
Pushkar Ghat and nearby ghats on the Godavari are traditional sites for pitru tarpanam in Andhra Pradesh, busiest on Mahalaya Amavasya.
Book pandits in Rajamahendravaram →Homes across Hyderabad
Most Hyderabad families perform Shraddha at home with a pandit on the ancestor's tithi. Book early for Mahalaya Amavasya, when demand peaks.
Book pandits in Hyderabad →Traditions & rituals
Observances during Pitru Paksha
Common rituals, samagri, and practices families follow.
- Shraddha on the ancestor's tithi with Sankalpam and Pinda Daanam
- Daily Pitru Tarpanam with black sesame, darbha, and water
- Brahmana Bhojanam or Hiranya Shraddham (dry provisions and dakshina)
- Kaka Bali — food offered to crows — and Go Grasam for cows
- Mahalaya Amavasya Shraddha for all ancestors
Book locally
Cities where we serve
Find verified pandits in cities that observe this festival.
Related rituals
Puja services for this festival
Book verified Acharyas for ceremonies commonly performed during this festival.
Celebrating Pitru Paksha from abroad?
NRIs can join live video pujas with family in India — samagri guidance included.
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How to book a pandit for Pitru Paksha
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- Step 01
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- Step 02
Compare profiles
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- Step 03
Pick date and mode
Select doorstep service at home or an online ceremony via video call.
- Step 04
Pay securely
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- Step 05
Receive confirmation
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Common questions
Booking pandits for Pitru Paksha
When is Pitru Paksha in 2026?
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Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from 26 September to 10 October, ending on Mahalaya (Sarva Pitru) Amavasya on 10 October.
I don't know my ancestor's tithi. When should I perform Shraddha?
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Perform it on Mahalaya Amavasya, which covers all ancestors. You can also share the date of passing and our pandit will work out the tithi.
Can I book a pandit for Pitru Paksha Shraddha on Divine Center?
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Yes. Divine Center connects families with verified pandits for Shraddha, Tarpanam, and Pinda Daanam — at home, at a river ghat, or online. Request a quote from the puja page or message us on WhatsApp.
Is online Pitru Paksha Shraddha available for NRIs?
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Yes. The pandit guides you live on video through the Sankalpam, Tarpanam, and offerings, and shares a samagri list you can arrange locally.
What is the difference between Tarpanam and Shraddha?
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Tarpanam is the offering of sesame water to ancestors. Shraddha is a fuller ritual that includes Tarpanam, Pinda Daanam, and food or dakshina offerings.
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