Pitru Paksha Shraddha 2022 : Start Date & End Date, Rituals!
Every year, we celebrate and perform diverse traditions, rituals and festivals. In our country, one such auspicious time to remember and honor our ancestors is Pitru Paksha Shraddha or simply called Shradh. It is a sixteen days period when people honor and worship their ancestors. The Pitru Paksha period begins after Anant Chaturdashi, which is on the day when we bid farewell to the Lord Ganesha, with the promise of him coming back to celebrate the Ganesha festival the following year. During the Shraddha period, the rituals of Shradh are performed for all those who left this world. Though the death of anybody causes significant pain and suffering, it is believed that the body dies and the soul exists. So, people offer food and water to their forefathers or ancestors and honor, pay respect and worship them.
When is Pitru Paksha Shraddha 2022?
This year, Pitru Paksha Shraddha, also known as Mahalaya Paksha will start on Saturday, the 10th of September 2022, and continue till Sunday, the 25th of September 2022. 25th September 2022, which will fall on Sunday, this year, is the Sarva Pitru Pind Pradhan Day or Mahalaya Amavasya.
Rituals of the Pitru Paksha Shraddha
The process of the rituals may vary from person to person. But usually, it is divided into three parts, Pind Daan (where Pind is offered to the ancestors), Tarpan (where the water mixed with the Barley, Kusha, and Black Sesame is offered to the ancestors) and the third part is offering the food to the Brahmins or needy people. It is believed that by following all these rituals, the dead ancestors’ souls get peace, and they bless their families. On worshipping the ancestors, Gods also get pleased and bless everyone in the family. One should also read sacred Hindu literature like “Garuda Purana,” and “Agni Purana” during the Pitru Paksha.
One should avoid non-veg, garlic, eggs, and onion during this period. Do not cut beards and nails on the day when one is performing the Shradh of their ancestors. Also, avoid washing clothes during the day of Pitru Paksha Shradh. It is always suggested to perform Shradh in the early morning and avoid Puja in the afternoon, night and evening. According to the best astrologer, the rituals of Shradh must be done with great faith and belief and performed under a skilled priest’s supervision. It is also believed that new things should not be bought during this period and any auspicious work like marriage, etc. should not be performed. May God and everyone’s ancestors bless them and remove all the hindrances and obstacles from their lives.