Pitra Paksha, also known as Shraddha Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha, is a 15-day sacred period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to paying homage to one’s ancestors (Pitras). It is a spiritually significant time for gratitude, prayer, and rituals to ensure peace and elevation for the departed souls.
In 2025, Pitra Paksha begins on 8th September (Monday) and ends with Sarva Pitri Amavasya on 21st September (Sunday). This year, it begins just after the Total Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan), intensifying its karmic and spiritual importance.
Key Dates for Pitra Paksha 2025
| Event | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Start Date (Pratipada Shraddha) | 8th September 2025 | Monday |
| End Date (Sarva Pitri Amavasya) | 21st September 2025 | Sunday |
Each day corresponds to a specific Tithi (lunar day), and is dedicated to performing Shraddha for ancestors who passed away on that Tithi, regardless of the month or year of death.
Why Pitra Paksha Is Spiritually Significant
According to the Garuda Purana, during this fortnight, the souls of ancestors leave Pitru Loka and come closer to the earthly realm in anticipation of Tarpan, Pind Daan, and Shraddha from their descendants.
When these offerings are made with devotion and purity, it:
- Frees ancestral souls from karmic bondage
- Removes obstacles in the lives of descendants
- Clears delays in marriage, childbirth, and career
- Strengthens the spiritual foundation of the family lineage
Main Rituals Performed During Pitra Paksha
| Ritual | Description |
|---|---|
| Tarpan | Offering water with black sesame seeds and kusha grass while invoking ancestors |
| Pind Daan | Offering of symbolic food (rice and barley balls) at home or sacred places like Gaya, Varanasi, etc. |
| Shraddha Ceremony | Includes feeding Brahmins and offering food to cows, dogs, and crows |
| Charity (Daan) | Giving food, clothes, or daily essentials to the needy in the name of ancestors |
Who Can Perform Shraddha?
Traditionally, the eldest son or a male member of the family performs Shraddha. However, in absence of a male heir, or in modern households, daughters, wives, or women of the family can also perform the rites with full devotion.
If you do not know the exact Tithi of a relative’s passing, then Sarva Pitri Amavasya (21st September 2025) is the universal day to offer Shraddha for all known and unknown ancestors.
Pitra Paksha & Astrological Connection
In astrology, Pitra Dosh is often seen as a karmic blockage due to unfulfilled duties toward one’s forefathers. It may manifest when:
- Sun (significator of father), Saturn (karma), or Rahu/Ketu (shadow planets) are afflicted
- 9th house (ancestral blessings), 5th house (past life karma), or Lagna are negatively impacted
Pitra Paksha is the most powerful time to:
- Appease unsettled ancestral energies
- Clear Pitra Dosh through prayers and remedies
- Recite mantras like Aditya Hridaya Stotra, Pitru Sukta, or Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
- Offer lamps (til oil diya) in the South direction to honour Pitras
Do’s and Don’ts During Pitra Paksha
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
| Offer water (Tarpan) daily, if possible | Avoid starting any new or auspicious task during these 15 days |
| Perform Shraddha with a pure heart and clean environment | Refrain from cutting hair, shaving, or beautification rituals |
| Feed or donate to the needy in the name of your ancestors | Do not cook or eat non-vegetarian food |
| Maintain a simple, sattvic (pure) lifestyle | Avoid disrespecting elders or family values |
Final Thoughts
Pitra Paksha is not just a ritual, it is a soulful offering of love and gratitude toward the very lineage that gave us life.
When we remember and honour our ancestors during these 15 sacred days, we receive their blessings in the form of peace, prosperity, and protection — often silently, but deeply felt.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, emotionally drained, or blocked in progress, performing Shraddha during Pitra Paksha can begin to open the path forward.
