Pitru Paksha starts from the full moon of Bhadrapada month. Pitru Paksha lasts till Amavasya Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month. Pitru Paksha is also known as Shradh Paksha. Shradh and Tarpan of ancestors are performed in Pitru Paksha. By doing the work related to ancestors with rituals in this Paksha, blessings of ancestors are received and ancestors attain salvation. This year Purnima Shradh will be on 17th September. Pratipada Shradh will be on 18th September. Pitru Paksha will end with Sarvapitru Amavasya on 2nd October. Let us know why Shradh and Tarpan are necessary in Pitru Paksha…
The debt of ancestors is repaid by Tarpan and Shraddha
According to religious texts, during the sixteen days of Shraadh, people offer water to their ancestors and perform Shraadh on their death anniversary. It is believed that the debt of ancestors is repaid through Shraadh. Shraadh is performed on the same date of Pitru Paksha for ancestors who died in any month and date of the year. Tarpan, Brahmin food, donation etc., which are performed with devotion for the purpose of satisfying ancestors, are called Shraadh. It is also called Pitryagya. Through Shraadh, a person is freed from the debt of ancestors and by satisfying the ancestors, he moves on the path of his own liberation. Shraadh or Pinddaan are two aspects of the same word. The word Pinddaan means making food in the shape of a ball and offering it to ancestors with devotion, this is called Pinddaan. South Indian Pinddaan is called Shraadh. According to Markandeya Purana, being satisfied with the Shraddha, the ancestors provide the Shraddha performer with long life, children, wealth, knowledge, all kinds of happiness and heaven and salvation after death.