Guide

Pitru Paksha Dos and Don’ts and How to Do Shraddh at Home

Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from Saturday 26 September to Saturday 10 October. It is a fortnight for remembering ancestors with Shraddh, tarpan and charity. This guide explains what to do and avoid, how a simple Shraddh is performed at home, and what to do if you are unsure of the tithi. Family customs vary, and a family priest is the best authority for your tradition.

What is Shraddh?

Shraddh means an act done with faith (shraddha) for departed ancestors. It usually includes tarpan (water offering), pind daan (rice balls), a meal offered to a Brahmin or the needy, and charity. It is done on the tithi on which the person passed away.

Which day to do it

Find the tithi (lunar day) of the person’s passing and use that tithi’s date in Pitru Paksha 2026. The Shraddh tithi finder does this from the date of passing. If you do not know the tithi, or for all ancestors together, use Sarva Pitru Amavasya on 10 October 2026.

A simple Shraddh at home

Bathe, wear clean clothes and sit facing south, ideally at midday. Place a photo or a symbol of the ancestor, a lamp, water, black sesame, kusha grass and barley. Do sankalp stating the ancestor’s name and gotra, offer water with sesame as tarpan, then offer pinda of cooked rice, sesame and ghee. Offer food on a leaf for the ancestor, and a small portion for a cow, dog and crow. Then feed a Brahmin or a needy person, and give clothes or money in charity.

Dos

Do the Shraddh at midday, on the correct tithi; eat sattvik food; stay humble; give in charity in the ancestor’s name; feed birds, cows and dogs; and welcome any guest.

Don’ts

By tradition, avoid weddings, engagements, griha pravesh, naming ceremonies, buying vehicles, gold or property, and starting a business during this period. Avoid non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion and garlic on Shraddh days, and avoid haircuts and shaving on the day.

Special days

Purnima Shraddh is 26 September. Matru Navami, for mothers and married women, is 4 October. Chaturdashi is for those who died in accidents or untimely, and Sarva Pitru Amavasya, 10 October, is for everyone.

Gaya and other places

Many families visit Gaya, Varanasi, Haridwar or Prayagraj for pind daan. If you cannot travel, a simple home Shraddh with sincerity is accepted in most traditions.

Frequently asked questions

Astrology, tarot, numerology and related practices are offered for reflection and entertainment and are not medical, legal or financial advice.