Pitru Paksha, also known as Shraddha or Mahalaya Paksha, is a sacred 15-day period in the Hindu lunar calendar dedicated to remembering and appeasing our departed forebears. In 2025, it begins on Purnima Shraddha—Sunday, September 7th—and concludes on Sarva Pitri Amavasya—Sunday, September 21st.
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Why Pitru Paksha Matters
During Pitru Paksha, Hindus believe they repay a spiritual debt (pitru ṛṇa) owed to their ancestors. Performing Shraddha and related rites helps the souls of the departed attain peace and, ultimately, moksha (liberation). This period reminds us that our well-being is interwoven with past generations, and honoring them brings blessings and harmony to the living.
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Ancient Tales Behind the Observance
– King Mahabali and Vamana:Â
 In Vaishnava lore, Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar visited the benevolent King Mahabali during Pitru Paksha and sent him to the underworld. Out of compassion, Mahabali was granted permission to return annually to visit his people—symbolizing the link between past and present generations.
– Karna’s Generosity in the Mahabharata:Â
 Karna, celebrated for his charity, donated food and wealth during Shraddha rites. His selfless deeds earned blessings that underscored why performing Shraddha in Pitru Paksha yields spiritual merit.
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Key Rituals and Their Steps
1. TarpanÂ
  • Cleanse yourself with a morning bath and wear clean, preferably white attire.Â
  • Sit facing south beside a water source.Â
  • Prepare water in a copper or brass vessel; mix in black sesame seeds, barley, and kusa grass.Â
  • Recite the prescribed mantras while gently pouring the mixture as an offering to the ancestors.
2. Pinda DaanÂ
  • Make rice balls (pindas) with cooked rice, ghee, and sesame seeds.Â
  • Place them on a banana leaf or copper plate.Â
  • Offer each pinda, chanting the mantras that invoke your forebears’ presence and nourishment.
3. Shraddha CeremonyÂ
  • Invite Brahmin priests (or perform yourself) to receive food, clothes, and dakshina (offerings).Â
  • The priest, representing the ancestors, blesses the family after the ritual meal.
4. Charity and Feeding AnimalsÂ
  • Distribute food, clothes, or money to the needy.Â
  • Feed crows, cows, and dogs—traditional messengers and guests of Pitru Lok—to extend your offerings beyond the puja ground.
5. Visiting Ancestral SitesÂ
  • If possible, perform tarpan and pind daan at the actual burial or cremation grounds of your ancestors.
6. Fasting and RestraintÂ
  • Many observe partial fasts or avoid certain foods (onion, garlic, meat, alcohol) to focus the mind on remembrance and devotion.
By faithfully practicing these rites each day of Pitru Paksha—matched to the lunar tithi of an ancestor’s passing—families seek to secure peace for departed souls and invoke their continued blessings.
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Why Gaya Ji, Bihar Is the Premier Destination
1. Land of Salvation (Pitru Tirtha):Â
  Ancient texts like the Vishnu Purana and Vayu Purana declare Gaya the spot where offerings bring ultimate moksha to ancestors. Lord Vishnu is worshipped there in the form of his footprints (Vishnu Paad).
2. Falgu River Rituals:Â
  Performing tarpan on the holy banks of the Falgu River is believed to be especially potent, as waters carry offerings directly to Pitru Lok.
3. Ram’s Ancestral Tribute:Â
  Lord Rama himself is said to have come to Gaya to perform pind daan for Maharaj Dasaratha—enshrining the site’s sanctity and setting a divine precedent.
4. 54 Vedis and Banyan Grove:Â
  Gaya uniquely hosts 54 sacred platforms (vedis) spread across its banyan tree groves, each dedicated to a branch of one’s lineage. Pilgrims perform shraddha at multiple vedis for comprehensive ancestral remembrance.
5. Annual Pitru Paksha Mela:Â
  Every year during Pitru Paksha, Gaya’s mela attracts thousands of devotees who set up tents and participate in continuous pind daan ceremonies—creating a living tapestry of devotion and community.
Because of these unparalleled spiritual advantages, Gaya Ji remains the most revered pilgrimage site for Pitru Paksha observances in India.
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