Drik Panchang
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Drik Panchang
Pitru Paksha is a 15 lunar days period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings.
According to South Indian Amanta calendar it falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada beginning with the full moon day or day after full moon day.
According to North Indian Purnimanta calendar this period falls in the lunar month of Ashwin beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or next day of full moon day.
It is just nomenclature of lunar months which differs and both North Indians and South Indians perform Shraddha ritual on similar days.
The last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. Mahalaya amavasya is the most significant day of Pitru Paksha.
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.
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.
Shraddha
