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Notes: All timings are represented in 12-hour notation in local time of Lancaster, United States with DST adjustment (if applicable).
Hours which are past midnight are suffixed with next day date. In Panchang day starts and ends with sunrise.
Magha Shraddha is done during Pitru Paksha when Magha Nakshatra prevails during Aparahna Kala. If Magha Nakshatra prevails partially during Aparahna Kala on two days then the day when it prevails for longer duration it considered.
If both Magha Nakshatra and Trayodashi Tithi prevail during Aparahna on the same day then it is known as Magha Trayodashi Shraddha. Nakshatra Magha is significant during Pitru Paksha because it is ruled by Pitrs(पितृ), the spirits of the departed ancestors.
Pitru Paksha Shraddhas are Parvan Shraddhas (पार्वण श्राद्ध) and auspicious time to perform them is either Kutup Muhurat and Rohina etc. Muhurat after that till Aparahna Kala gets over. Tarpan (तर्पण) is done at the end of the Shraddha.
As per Hindu scriptures, there is a profound connection between the ancestors and the Magha Nakshatra. Texts such as the Garbha Upanishad, Garuda Purana and Nirnaya Sindhu describe Magha Nakshatra as a representative of the Pitris. Therefore, performing Shraddha on a date that coincides with Magha Nakshatra is considered especially auspicious and highly pleasing to the ancestors.
According to the description found in Hemadri, all sons, whether residing together or at different places must perform the Magha Shraddha separately. In the scriptures, Magha Shraddha is regarded as highly meritorious and conducive to growth and prosperity.
Magha Shraddha is particularly performed for those ancestors whose exact date of death is not known or for whom Shraddha could not be performed during the year due to some reason. According to various scriptures, if the appropriate Tithi for Shraddha is not remembered, then performing Shraddha, Tarpan and Pinda Daan on a date associated with Magha Nakshatra is highly beneficial. Especially during Pitru Paksha, if the Trayodashi or Chaturdashi Tithi coincides with Magha Nakshatra, then performing Shraddha on that day satisfies the ancestors for thousands of years.
As stated in the Garuda Purana, Shraddha performed during Magha Nakshatra leads the ancestors to attain Vishnu Loka and they bless their descendants with good health, long life, wealth, progeny and peace. The Tarpana, Pinda Daan and Brahmin Bhoj done on this day yield manifold spiritual benefits. The Dharmasindhu also notes that performing Shraddha with Madhu (honey) and Payas, i.e., sweet rice pudding or Kheer on this day is especially fruitful.
If a family is suffering from issues such as untimely deaths, mental distress, obstacles in marriage, infertility or threats to family lineage, then performing Magha Shraddha with devotion is considered extremely beneficial. Offering meals to Brahmins, performing Tila-Jala Tarpan, donating clothes and lighting lamps on this day is believed to remove Pitru Dosha and bring peace and prosperity to the household.
Through this Shraddha Tithi Calculator, you can find out the Hindu Tithi prevailing at the time of death of a person by inputting the date and time of his death. In Hinduism, the annual Shraddha is performed every year on the Hindu Tithi of death of a deceased family member.
The days of Shraddha in the current year are listed. According to the Hindu calendar, every year during the fifteen days of Pitru Paksha, Hindus perform Shraddha rituals for their ancestors. The last day of Pitru Paksha is very important and is called Sarvapitru Amavasya.
Gajachchhaya Yoga is formed when the Surya and Chandra transit on special Tithi and Nakshtara. Gajachchhaya Yoga does not occur every year, but it is always formed during the time of Pitru Paksha and is considered extremely auspicious for rituals like Shraddha etc.
This is the most significant and last day of Pitru Paksha. This day is also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. One can perform single Shraddha on Amavasya day if one is unable to perform Shraddha during the whole Pitru Paksha.
Kutup Muhurta, Rohina Muhurta and Aparahna Kaal are listed to perform Purnima Shraddha as per the local time. On this day, rituals like Shraddha, Tarpan etc. are performed for the ancestors. It is also called Shraddhi Purnima and Proshthapadi Purnima Shraddha.
In Hinduism, 96 occasions are considered suitable for performing Shraddha including 12 Amavasya days, 12 Sankranti and 15 Pitru Paksha days i.e. Mahalaya days. Shraddha rituals are performed with the desire to satisfy the ancestors.
Various types of Shraddha including Nitya, Naimittika and Kamya Shraddha and their differences are described. Description of many types of Shraddha is found in Matsya Purana and Yama Smriti, which have been divided into five main categories.
This article offers essential information regarding Pitru Paksha, including its duration, timing, and related rituals. It also addresses important questions such as "Why is Shraddha performed?" and provides answers to such common queries.
