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During the 16-day Pitru Paksha period, Hindus perform rituals like offering food, water, Tarpan, and prayers to ensure peace and salvation for their ancestors
During Pitru Paksha, families perform Shraddh ceremonies and offer food to Brahmins as part of the tradition. (AI Generated)
Pitru Paksha, the sacred 16-day period dedicated to paying homage to ancestors, is observed annually to honour departed family members and seek their blessings. In 2025, this period will culminate on Sunday, September 21, with Pitru Visarjan Amavasya.
During these days, Hindus perform various rituals, including offering food, water, Tarpan, and symbolic prayers, to ensure peace and salvation for their ancestors.
Many families conduct Shraddh ceremonies at holy rivers and feed Brahmins or charitable institutions as part of the tradition. These observances are believed to strengthen the spiritual connection between the living and the departed, while also seeking protection and prosperity for the family.
Apart from these rituals, an important practice during Pitru Paksha is the recitation of the Bhagavad Gita, particularly its eleventh chapter. This chapter describes the universal and majestic form of Lord Krishna, endowed with all virtues of Lord Vishnu.
Pandit Shridhar Shastri, a religious scholar from Haridwar, Uttarakhand, explains that reciting this chapter on Trayodashi, Chaturdashi, and Amavasya during Pitru Paksha helps the wandering souls of ancestors attain salvation.
He further emphasises that performing the recitation with devotion on Pitru Visarjan Amavasya allows Lord Vishnu to bless all ancestors, enabling them to continue guiding and protecting their descendants. Religious scriptures highlight that these practices-rituals and the reading of the Gita—bring peace to ancestors and ensure spiritual continuity across generations.
For devotees, Pitru Paksha is not just a ritual period but a time of reflection, devotion, and reaffirmation of family and cultural bonds. The fortnight serves as a reminder of the importance of ancestral heritage, reinforcing faith, spirituality, and the values passed down through generations.
September 16, 2025, 13:02 IST
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