2024 Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates

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Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates 2024

Pitru Paksha is a 15-day lunar period during which Hindus honor their ancestors, especially through food offerings.

In the South Indian Amavasyant calendar, Pitru Paksha falls in Bhadrapada, the month beginning with the full moon day or the day after.

In the North Indian Purnimant calendar, this period begins with the full moon day of Bhadrapada or the next day of the full moon day.

The only difference is the nomenclature of lunar months, and both North Indians and South Indians perform Shradh rituals on similar days.

Sarvapitri Amavasya, or Mahalaya Amavasya, is celebrated on the last day of Pitru Paksha. The most significant day of Pitru Paksha is Mahalaya Amavasya.

Shradh Activities

2024 Pitru Paksha Shraddha Dates
2024 Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates

Shradh rituals consist of the following main activities –

  • Vishwadeva Sthapana (विश्वेदेव स्थापना)
  • Pindadan (पिण्डदान)
  • Tarpan (तर्पण)
  • Feeding the Brahmin (ब्राह्मण भोज)

In a Pindadan, rice, cow’s milk, ghee, sugar, and honey are offered to ancestors in the form of a Pinda (rounded heap of the offering). Pandadan should be done with whole-heartedness, devotion, sentiments, and respect for the deceased soul to fulfill it.

A Tarpan is an offering of water mixed with black sesame (तिल), Kusha grass (कुशा), Barley (जौं), and white flour. The process of Tarpan is believed to appease the ancestors.

Feeding the Brahmin is a must to complete the Shradh ritual. Offering to the crows is also made before food is offered to the Brahmin.

Why Is Shradh Performed?

2024 Pitru Paksha Shraddha Dates
2024 Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates

In Garuda Purana, after thirteen days of death, the soul starts its journey to Yamapuri, which takes seventeen days.

After traveling through Yamapuri for eleven months, the soul reaches Yamaraj’s court only in the twelfth month. For eleven months, it has not had access to food or water. 

Pindadan and Tarpan, performed by the son and his family, are believed to satisfy the soul’s hunger and thirst during its journey to Yamaraj’s court.

The first year after death is therefore considered to be a very important time for Shradh rituals.

Pitru Paksha Period And Duration

It is during Pitru Paksha that Hindus offer food to their ancestors in honor of their ancestors. Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha are the two equal Paksha of each lunar month. Each Paksha consists of fifteen lunar days.

According to North Indian Purnimant Calendar, fifteen days period during Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month is known as Pitru Paksha. 

Pitru Paksha, however, is referred to as Krishna Paksha by South Indian Amavasyant Calendar. While it is interesting to note that North Indians and South Indians both perform Shradh rituals on the same day, the nomenclature of lunar months differs.

In many sources, Bhadrapada Purnima is included in the fifteen-day period before Pitru Paksha. It is an auspicious day to perform Shradh rituals on Bhadrapada Purnima, also known as Proshthapadi Purnima. 

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    As a point of clarification, Mahalaya Shradh for those who have passed away on Purnima Tithi is performed on Amavasya Shraddha Tithi during Pitru Paksha, not Bhadrapada Purnima.

    Pitru Paksha begins one or two days after Ganesh Visarjan. It is also known as Mahalaya Paksha. Sarvapitri or Mahalaya Amavasya is celebrated on the last day of Pitru Paksha. 

    In Pitru Paksha, this is the most important day. It is possible to perform Shradh on Sarvapitri Amavasya if the death date of the deceased person is unknown.

    Mahalaya Amavasya marks the beginning of Durga Puja festivities in West Bengal. The Goddess Durga was believed to have descended on Earth on this day.

    2024 Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates

    Pitru Paksha Shraddha Dates
    Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates
    ShradhDate and DayTithi
    Purnima ShradhSeptember 17, 2024, TuesdayBhadrapada, Shukla Purnima
    Pratipada ShradhSeptember 18, 2024, WednesdayAshwina, Krishna Pratipada
    Dwitiya ShradhSeptember 19, 2024, ThursdayAshwina, Krishna Dwitiya
    Tritiya ShradhSeptember 20, 2024, FridayAshwina, Krishna Tritiya
    Chaturthi ShradhSeptember 21, 2024, SaturdayAshwina, Krishna Chaturthi
    Maha BharaniSeptember 21, 2024, SaturdayAshwina, Bharani Nakshatra
    Panchami ShradhSeptember 22, 2024, SundayAshwina, Krishna Panchami
    Shashthi ShradhSeptember 23, 2024, MondayAshwina, Krishna Shashthi
    Saptami ShradhSeptember 23, 2024, MondayAshwina, Krishna Saptami
    Ashtami ShradhSeptember 24, 2024, TuesdayAshwina, Krishna Ashtami
    Navami ShradhSeptember 25, 2024, WednesdayAshwina, Krishna Navami
    Dashami ShradhSeptember 26, 2024, ThursdayAshwina, Krishna Dashami
    Ekadashi ShradhSeptember 27, 2024, FridayAshwina, Krishna Ekadashi
    Dwadashi ShradhSeptember 29, 2024, SundayAshwina, Krishna Dwadashi
    Magha ShradhSeptember 29, 2024, SundayAshwina, Magha Nakshatra
    Trayodashi ShradhSeptember 30, 2024, MondayAshwina, Krishna Trayodashi
    Chaturdashi ShradhOctober 1, 2024, TuesdayAshwina, Krishna Chaturdashi
    Sarva Pitru AmavasyaOctober 2, 2024, WednesdayAshwina, Krishna Amavasya

    Key Rituals And Customs

    2024 Pitru Paksha Shraddha Dates
    2024 Pitru Paksha Shradh Dates

    According to rituals, observing Shradh rites brings the family prosperity, good health, and peace. Key customs and rituals followed during this period are given below:

    Tarpan: Black sesame seeds, barley, and flowers are mixed with water and offered to the ancestors.

    Pind Daan: Rice, barley flour, and black sesame seeds prepared as pindas are offered to the ancestors.

    Serve Food To Brahmins And Poor: Feeding Brahmins and people experiencing poverty during this period is considered auspicious as a way to honor the ancestors.

    Observe Fasts: To show respect and devotion, many devotees observe a fast on the day they perform the Shradh ritual.

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    8 Comments

    1. Pitru Paksha is indeed an important period in the Hindu calendar. It is the time to remember our dead kin and pray for their souls. We also observe this period, and no auspicious ceremonies like weddings etc, are performed In this period. Good and informative post

    2. The blog about Pitru Paksha Shraddh dates for 2024 is really informative! It’s such an important time to honor our ancestors and remember their contributions. Knowing the dates in advance helps everyone prepare for these meaningful rituals and celebrations.

    3. Most of us are familiar with Pitrupaksh however not so muchin-depth. I learnt more about the details and its significance. Please do share the myths associated with this period too if possible.

    4. Pitru Paksha is a significant time in Hindu culture, dedicated to honoring our ancestors. The rituals and shradh during this period help express gratitude and seek blessings from our forefathers. Thanks for sharing 🙏

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