Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha — also called Mahalaya Paksha — is a sixteen-day period in the Hindu calendar set aside for honoring departed ancestors (Pitrus). Rituals performed during this time are broadly referred to as Shraddha, with the specific water-offering component called Tarpanam; the two terms are often used interchangeably for the same overall observance. Each of the sixteen days corresponds to a particular lunar tithi, and families traditionally perform the ritual on the tithi matching the date their ancestor passed away. The final day, Mahalaya Amavasya (also called Sarvapitri Amavasya), is the most significant day of the fortnight — a catch-all opportunity for offering Shraddha to all ancestors, including those whose exact date of passing isn't known or was missed earlier in the fortnight.

Tradition holds that the water and food offered during Tarpanam and Shraddha reach and nourish the ancestors in their current state, easing their journey and helping them progress toward peace. Performing these rituals is also considered an expression of gratitude — repaying what is called Pitru Rin, the debt owed to one's forebears for the life one has been given.

Neglecting Shraddha, tradition holds, can leave ancestors unsettled, which is part of why Mahalaya Amavasya exists as a final, comprehensive opportunity — a way of ensuring no ancestor is overlooked even if an earlier tithi in the fortnight was missed.

The ceremony follows this general sequence, whether performed on an ancestor's specific tithi or on Mahalaya Amavasya:

1. ● Sankalp (formal intention-setting, naming the ancestor(s) being honored)
2. ● Tarpanam — water, black sesame (til), and darbha grass offered with prescribed mantras
3. ● Pinda Pradanam — rice or barley flour balls, mixed with ghee and sesame, offered to the ancestors
4. ● Food offerings — dishes such as kheer, dal, and vegetables prepared specifically for the ritual
5. ● A portion of the food is set aside for crows, cows, and dogs, traditionally regarded as messengers who carry the offering onward
6. ● Feeding of Brahmins or family members, concluding the ritual

Each step is guided by the pandit start to finish, with the mantras and sequence matched to your family's specific tradition.

Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from around September 26-27 through to Saturday, October 10, 2026 — the final day, Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarvapitri Amavasya), being the most widely observed and significant date of the fortnight. Within this window, Shraddha is ideally performed on the specific tithi matching your ancestor's date of passing; Mahalaya Amavasya itself is available to everyone, whether or not the specific tithi was observed earlier. Our pandit will confirm the exact tithi applicable to your family, along with the correct date for your city, at the time of booking.

We bring a complete Pitru Paksha Shraddha and Tarpanam experience to your home, guided correctly from start to finish.

1. ● Experienced & qualified Vedic pandit
2. ● Tithi consultation to confirm the correct date for your ancestor(s)
3. ● Full Tarpanam and Pinda Pradanam performed with the correct mantras
4. ● Guidance on food offerings and the feeding of Brahmins/family members
5. ● Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarvapitri) Shraddha available for all ancestors collectively
6. ● Your family's specific customs and sampradaya accommodated

Every step is performed in the correct sequence, matched to what your family's own tradition requires.

Shraddha rituals carry real weight for most families, and getting the tithi, the mantras, and the sequence right matters. Our pandits perform this every year and know the details precisely.

1. ● Trusted, experienced priests familiar with Shraddha and Tarpanam traditions
2. ● Doorstep service, on the correct tithi, on time
3. ● Transparent pricing — no hidden charges
4. ● Rituals performed in Sanskrit, Telugu, Hindi & more, on request
5. ● Available across Hyderabad and pan-India via our network of pandits

Honoring your ancestors deserves to be done with care and the correct tradition — we make sure it is.