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During Pitru Paksha, performing Shraddh on the right tithi is considered essential for honouring ancestors. Here’s how you can identify the correct date for the rituals
During Pitru Paksha, rituals like Tarpan, Pinddaan, and Shraddh are performed to honour the souls of our ancestors. (News18 Hindi)
Pitru Paksha, the sacred fortnight dedicated to honouring ancestors, will begin on Monday, September 8, 2025. According to the Hindu Panchang, Pitru Paksha starts from the Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Ashwin month and continues till Amavasya.
During this period, rituals such as Tarpan, Pinddaan, Shraddh, Daan, Panchbali Karma, and Bhoj are performed to pay homage to the souls of our ancestors. It is also believed to be an auspicious time for remedies to remove Pitru Dosh.
A key question many families face is how to determine the exact date of Shraddh or Tarpan for their ancestors. Hindu scriptures specify that rituals must be performed on the same lunar date (tithi) in Pitru Paksha that corresponds to the ancestor’s death date.
For instance, if someone passes away on September 4, 2025, which falls on Dwadashi Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, then their Shraddh should be performed on Dwadashi Tithi of Pitru Paksha every year.
Pitru Paksha generally lasts 14 to 16 days and covers all 15 tithis from Ashwin Krishna Pratipada to Amavasya. During this time, families perform rituals for their late father, mother, grandparents, maternal grandparents, and other deceased relatives. These rituals ensure peace for the departed souls and blessings for the family.
To identify the correct date, one must refer to the Panchang. Each year, the tithi of death in the lunar calendar is matched with the same tithi of Pitru Paksha. Only in cases of premature death are different rituals observed.
For the year 2025, the complete schedule of Pitru Paksha Shraddh tithis is as follows:
Pratipada Shraddh: September 8, Monday
Dwitiya Shraddh: September 9, Tuesday
Tritiya Shraddh: September 10, Wednesday
Chaturthi Shraddh: September 10, Wednesday
Panchami Shraddh: September 11, Thursday
Shashthi Shraddh: September 12, Friday
Saptami Shraddh: September 13, Saturday
Ashtami Shraddh: September 14, Sunday
Navami Shraddh: September 15, Monday
Dashami Shraddh: September 16, Tuesday
Ekadashi Shraddh: September 17, Wednesday
Dwadashi Shraddh: September 18, Thursday
Trayodashi Shraddh: September 19, Friday
Chaturdashi Shraddh: September 20, Saturday
Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) Shraddh: September 21, Sunday
Pitru Paksha concludes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the most important day when those unable to perform rituals on individual dates can offer Shraddh for all ancestors collectively.
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