Pitru Paksha 2025 Begins Today: Date, Significance, Rituals, and Do’s & Don’ts

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by

Himanshu
in

oday marks the beginning of Pitru Paksha 2025, a sacred 16-day period in the Hindu calendar when families pay homage to their ancestors. This fortnight, also known as Shradh Paksha or Apara Paksha, holds immense spiritual importance as it is believed that the souls of departed forefathers visit the earth during this time to bless their descendants.

📅 Pitru Paksha 2025: Dates and Duration

EventDate
Pitru Paksha BeginsSeptember 7, 2025 (Sunday)
Pitru Paksha EndsSeptember 21, 2025 (Sunday)
Mahalaya Amavasya (Final Day)September 21, 2025

The rituals start on Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima and conclude on Mahalaya Amavasya, the most significant day of Shradh.

🌟 Significance of Pitru Paksha

  • Hindus believe that during this period, the ancestors (Pitru) descend to accept offerings.
  • Performing Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan ensures peace for departed souls and brings blessings for prosperity and happiness.
  • Neglecting rituals during this period is thought to cause Pitru Dosha, leading to obstacles in life.
  • Families use this period to show gratitude and remembrance for their lineage.

🔱 Key Rituals Performed

1. Tarpan

Offering water mixed with sesame seeds and barley to quench the thirst of ancestors.

2. Pind Daan

Balls made of rice, barley flour, ghee, and sesame seeds are offered to nourish the souls.

3. Feeding Animals

Food is offered to crows, cows, and dogs, symbolizing offerings reaching the ancestors.

4. Charity (Daan)

Clothes, food, and money are donated to the poor and Brahmins, believed to bring merit.

5. Lighting Lamps

Lighting ghee lamps represents guiding ancestors toward peace and liberation.

6. Mantra Chanting

Special mantras are recited to reduce Rahu-Ketu dosha and pacify ancestral souls.

🚫 Do’s and Don’ts During Pitru Paksha

Do’sDon’ts
Perform Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan sincerely.Avoid non-vegetarian food, onion, garlic, alcohol, and tobacco.
Offer food to Brahmins, cows, dogs, and crows.Do not start new ventures or major purchases.
Follow a satvik (pure vegetarian) diet.Avoid cutting hair and nails during the fortnight.
Maintain calmness, respect, and positive thoughts.Do not waste food or disrespect offerings.

🛕 Major Pilgrimage Centers

  • Gaya, Bihar: The most important site where lakhs of devotees perform Pind Daan at the Falgu River ghats.
  • Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: Special shradh rituals are performed along the Ganga.
  • Allahabad/Prayagraj: Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati is considered auspicious.

Authorities in pilgrimage cities like Gaya make special arrangements for cleanliness, crowd management, sanitation, water, and power supply during this period.

🙏 Final Thoughts

Pitru Paksha 2025 begins today, September 7, and will conclude on September 21 with Mahalaya Amavasya.
This fortnight is not just about rituals, but about remembering where we come from, showing gratitude to our ancestors, and carrying forward family traditions.

By performing Shradh and living with humility during these 16 days, one not only ensures peace for departed souls but also invites harmony and prosperity into life.