HARI OM SAI RAM , 

 

In Hinduism, parents and ancestors are regarded as deities, and they are worshipped on an equivalent level. Shradh refers to the reverence expressed towards the ancestors. In scriptures, Pitru Paksha holds great importance for devoting peace and moksha to the soul of our Ancestors . Shradh Paksha is a highly important aspect of the Hindu culture that holds a key place in the society. It is a period during which people perform special rituals for the well being of their late ancestors. The period of Shradh is also known as ‘Pitra Paksha’ or ‘Pitru Paksha’.
Although, Tarpan is done on Amavasya of every month, but the duration of Pitru Paksha is entirely devoted towards these rituals.

The sixteen days period starting from Purnima of Bhadrapada month and ending on Amavasya of Ashwin month Krishna Paksha, is called Pitru Paksha. In this period, we do daan , perform charity, havana and worship God, so that the souls of our forefathers and ancestors rest in peace.If one performs the Shradh Puja, then it not only gives peace and contentment to his/her ancestors but also brings in incredible benefits in the life of that native.

Srimad Bhagavad Gita says the body is perishable, but the soul is deathless. In fact, the soul is never born or dead. It is eternal and immortal. Neither the five elements nor any force on the earth can destroy it. However, it wears the shell of physical body and therefore needs to experience the cycle of births and deaths. After giving up its earthly vesture, the soul temporarily takes refuge in the Pitralok until it gets another body to continue with the cycle.Those souls residing over there will feel hunger and thirst for which no material food can be of any use.

They need to rely on the Tarpan that is offered by their descendants or family members they left behind on the earth. Therefore oblations to them are necessary to help them out and win their blessings.While it is customary to perform shradh for them year on year on the month and tithi in which they left their bodies, annually, Pitru Paksha is the right time specially designated for the ancestors to visit the families they left behind to accept the offerings they give.

Holy places designated for Pitru Paksha shradh

In Hindu tradition, there are some exclusively special places where tarpan needs to be performed for getting added benefits. These places include Varanasi, Prayaga, Gaya, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Rameswaram ,Haridwaar and Nasik. Usually due to the overwhelming popularity of these places, it is very easy to find a large number of scholars at these locations who can guide you the right way to perform shradh of the departed souls in our family.

Some of the benefits of performing Shradh Puja are ( if done with Shradha)
It enhances the Spiritual Aura around a person that wards off negative energies and blesses the native with a powerful and magnetic personality.
It bestows the native with financial prosperity and stability in terms of physical health & mental peace.
While purchase of property is not done during Shradh but a person who performs Shradh Puja is blessed with gains in property & vehicles in his/her life.
Shradh Puja removes the malefic influences of certain planets from the business house of a native’s horoscope, thus resulting in consistent gains in business income.
Shradh Puja plays a key role in pacifying the negative effects an ill placed Jupiter in one’s horoscope, hence giving success in career & education to the native.
It is said that the blessings of departed souls that one gets after Shradh Puja, brings in the divine power of materialization or Siddhi in a person.
Shradh Puja is also considered as one of the greatest remedies for a person suffering from Pitra Dosh in his/her Kundli.

Please note:
This year, Pitru Paksha will begin from 24 September and end on 9th October 2018 , by 12 noon . It is believed that one should worship own ancestors whole heartedly during these 16 days. By doing this, the ancestors attain peace and salvation and bless the native with a long and flourishing life.

Most notably this year the Pitru Paksha stretches over 16 days and Navaratri stretches over 10 days.
This is a rare phenomenon that happens once in 427 years only.
Auspicious timing for Shradh Puja , Tarpan , Daan is 12 noon to 1.45 pm .
September 24 – Purnima Shradh – From the day after full moon, the Pitra Paksh bigins.
September 25 – Pratipada – This day, the maternal grandfather sharadh. Whether his date of death is known or not.
September 26- Dwitiya
September 27 – Trittia
September 28 – Chaturthi –
September 29- Panchami, Maha Bharni – Shradh of unmarried members is done on the day of Panchani.
September 30- Satish
1 October – Saptami
October 2 – Ashtami – This day your father’s Shradh is done. (if one dosent know exact tithi)
October 3 – Navami – This day the Mother Shradh is done. Also on this day, the ancestors of Shraddha, who died  on the date of the twelfth day of both the Shukla and Krishna parties.
4th October-Dashami
October 5th – Ekadashi
October 6- Dvashashi
October 7 – Triodashi, Chaturdashi, Magha Shraddha – The death of the person who died after accident on the date of Chaturdhi or after death (Suicide, murder by tool) is done, whether his death has taken place at any other date.
Also on this day the Shradh of children is also done.
October 8 – Sarwa Pitra Amavasya – This is a very special day . It is also called Mahalaya Shradh. The person who has not been able to do Shraddha on the date given earlier , can do Shraddha on this day.

 

Since Amavasya tithi will start from 8th October 11.32 am  till Sun Rise of 9th october 9.20 am , hence ,
Sarwa Pitra Amavasye Puja In 2018 , Will Be Performed ,
On 9th October Before 6.30 Am.
Importance of Pind Daan and Puja Vidhi

According to the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, a grandson or nephew seems eligible to perform the rituals of Pind Daan, in case the departed have no son.

  • Pind Daan, Tarpan, and Brahman Bhoj holds immense importance in this ritual. Pind Daan is highly significant to carry out, as without performing it, souls of the ancestors cannot attain moksha or salvation. To commence, take  bath early, wear the sacred thread or Janeu on the right shoulder and offer Pind prepared with cow’s milk, honey, sugar and rice to your ancestors.
  • Offer a mixture of water, barley/jou , black sesame seeds and Kusha to your ancestors. It is believed that by offering this, the thirst of forefathers and ancestors gets quenched.
  • Ideally, this ritual must be performed at Prayag or Gaya. In case it is not possible, you can perform it at a cow shed , river , temple ,under peepalji  or your home.
  • Ancestors can knock on your door in any form during this period. Hence, do not turn away anyone from your home.Atithi Devo Bhawa.
  • Follow the code of Brahmacharya during the period of Pitru Paksha and avoid consuming meat or alcohol.
  • Try and do Gaya pind daan once in life time atleast.

IMPORTANT (MYTHS):
Please Note , According To Garur Puran , All Ladies Can Perform Pitra Pind Daan And Puja . This is puranokt .
Please do not keep photos of our ancestors in your home puja ghar , instead keep or hang photos on southern wall of home. 
If one is not able to do proper vidhi daan tarpan due to any reason , then one may just offer food to cow dogs crows along with water.
Also its a myth that , one cannot shave , cut beard, nails, not  do puja of God at home or in temple. If one wants, one can lit diya , do puja in temple , shave etc.. There is no Sutak during pitra paksh , Sutak applies only during birth and death of a person 
Importance of 10 Kinds of Donations on Pitru Paksha , in name of our ancestors , but without announcing to others even near family

By doing 10 types of donations during Pitru Paksha, the ancestors gain absolute peace.
One should donate atleast one of following , any quantity ,best between 11.45 am to 3 pm ,  cow, land, clothes, black sesame seeds, gold, ghee / butter, jaggery, rice, silver , milk , cooked food and salt .

In addition, Cow ,Dog Ants , Crow , should be definetely fed ( possibly every amavasya of month) , Agni offer little piece of rice/roti , Peepalji water , lighting oil diya .

 

When and How to Do Shradh

 

According to the traditions and puja vidhi, Shradh of the departed kin should be done on the tithi/date of his/her death. If a person dies on Saptami, his Shradh must be done on the same day.
In addition, if one dosent know exact tithi , there are some special beliefs which are as follows:

  • Shradh of father is carried out on the eighth day (Ashtami), and shradh of mother is done on the ninth day (Navami).
  • Shradh of a family member who met with an untimely death due to an accident or suicide must be done on the fourteenth day or Chaturdashi.
  • Shradh of saints and monks must be done on Twelfth day or Dwadashi.
  • In case you don’t remember the date of death of any departed ancestor, their Shradh must be done on Amavasya. called Sarwa Pitra Amavasya .

ALWAYS REMEMBER , WE ARE WHAT EVER WE ARE , ONLY AND ONLY BECAUSE OF “THEM” (OUR DEAR ANCESTORS).

 

 

VedicAstrologySolutions Wishes All  To Attain Aashirwaad From Ancestors And A Peaceful, Healthy And Bright Future.
 

HARI OM SAI RAM