Mahalaya Pitru Paksha 2024 | What | When | How & Why’s

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha is an auspicious period. A Paksha is a fortnight. Also known as Pitru Paksha, it enables us to come together. This is a not to be missed annual ritual, to honour and pay our respects to our ancestors and departed loved ones. This very sacred fortnight, holds deep significance in our tradition. It offers us the opportunity to express our gratitude and remember those who have passed on.

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha will be observed from 19^th September, 2024 to 02^nd October, 2024. During this Paksha or fortnight period, it is believed that our ancestors visit us. it is our sacred duty to offer them food, prayers, and perform rituals to ensure their well-being in the afterlife.

Mahalaya Paksha Shraddha | Pitru Paksha Shraddh – A brief overview

Mahalaya Paksha Shraddha, is also known as Pitru Paksha Shraddha or simply, Pitru Paksha.  A significant period in Hindu culture and tradition, it is dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors or forefathers. This observance takes place during the waning phase of the moon in the lunar month of Bhadrapada, typically September to October, as per the Hindu calendar.

The term “Mahalaya Paksha” translates to the “fortnight of ancestors” or the “fortnight of the departed.” It lasts for 15 days, starting on the day of the Purnima – full moon, and concluding on the day of the Amavasya – new moon. During this period, Hindus believe that the spirits of their deceased ancestors visit the mortal realm, and performing rituals and ceremonies can help offer them peace and solace in the afterlife.

Devotees observe various rituals and customs during Mahalaya Paksha Shraddha – offering food, clothes and many other items to the departed. The rituals involve making offerings of rice, lentils, fruits, sweets, and more to a sacred fire, followed by offering them to crows and cows, which are considered carriers of ancestral spirits. The main intention behind these rituals is to express gratitude, seek blessings, and ensure the well-being of the souls of ancestors.

Shraddha rituals are held in accordance with family traditions and regional practices. It is believed that performing these rituals during this specific period helps the souls of the departed ancestors find peace and move forward in their spiritual journey.

Mahalaya Paksha – Here is what our scriptures have said

Bhagavad Gita: “Offering oblations to ancestors with devotion during the Mahalaya Paksha is a sacred duty, which fosters spiritual growth and gratitude.”

Manu Smriti: “During the fortnight of Mahalaya, honoring ancestors through Shraddha rituals is a practice that strengthens the bond between past and present generations.”

Garuda Purana: “Performing Shraddha during Mahalaya Paksha grants peace and blessings to departed souls, ensuring their journey towards higher realms.”

Yajnavalkya Smriti: “The observance of Mahalaya Paksha Shraddhas is a means to repay the debt to ancestors and seek their blessings for a harmonious life.”

Vishnu Smriti: “Offering oblations to forefathers during the Mahalaya period bestows ancestral blessings, leading to the well-being of the living and the deceased.”

Agni Purana: “Mahalaya Shraddhas, performed with a pure heart, help release ancestors from karmic bonds and elevate them towards liberation.”

Padma Purana: “As the sun sets on the fortnight of Mahalaya, let the flame of remembrance burn bright through Shraddha rituals, connecting us with our lineage.”

Skanda Purana: “Mahalaya Paksha is a sacred junction where offerings to ancestors bridge the gap between the material and spiritual realms.”

Narada Purana: “Mahalaya Shraddhas, undertaken with devotion, honour the departed souls and ensure their eternal journey towards salvation.”

Dharma Shastra: “During Mahalaya Paksha, offering libations to ancestors symbolizes gratitude, respect, and continuity in the circle of life.”

Taittiriya Upanisad: You should not neglect duties to the gods and ancestors.
Markandeya: Shraddha has to be performed for 15 days when Sun enters Kanya Rashi.

Mahalaya Shraddha Dates 2024

Mahalaya Pitru Paksha Shraddh 29th Sep to 14th Oct 2023

Mahalaya Pratipada Shradh 2024

Pratipada Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Pratipada Thithi, in Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha Pratipada. It is also known as Pratipat shradh or Padwa Shraddha.

Pratipada Shradh Tithi is also considered the right time to perform Shraddha for maternal grandfather and grandmother (known as Nana-Nani in Hindi) during the Pitrupaksha. If there is no one to perform Shraddha on the maternal side, then performing Shraddha on this tithi appeases Atma (souls) of maternal grandparents. Even if the death anniversaries of maternal grandparents are not known, Shraddha can be done on this tithi. It is believed that performing this Shraddha brings happiness and prosperity to the household.

Mahalaya Dwiteeya Shradh 2024

Dwitiya Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members whose deaths occurred on Dwitiya Tithi, in Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha Dwitiya. It is also known as Dooj Shradh.

Maha Bharani Shraddh / Mahalaya Triteeya Shradh 2024

Tritiya Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Tritiya tithi, in Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha Tritiya. It is also known as Teej Shradh.

Mahalaya Chaturthi Shradh 2024

Chaturthi Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who expired on Chaturthi tithi. It is also known as Chauth Shradh.

Mahalaya Shraddha on 21st Saturday, 2024 is also called as Maha Bharani Shraddha.

Mahalaya Panchami Shradh 2024

Panchami Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who death occurred on Panchami Tithi, including both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Panchami. It is also known as Kunwara Panchami (Kumara Panchamee). Doing Shraddha on this tithi is significant for those deceased family members who died unmarried.

Mahalaya Shashthi Shradh 2024

Shashthi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Shashthi tithi. Shashthi Shraddha is also known as Chhath Shraddha.

Mahalaya Saptami Shradh 2024

Saptami Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Saptami tithi.

Mahalaya Ashtami Shradh 2024

Ashtami Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Ashtami tithi. This is also known as Madhyashtami Shradh.

Mahalaya Navami Shradh 2024

Navami Shraddha also known as Matra Navami is performed for those deceased family members who died on Navami Thithi. This Tithi is considered the most auspicious day to perform the mother’s Shraddha. It is believed that doing Shraddha on this tithi appeases all deceased female members in the family. Navami Shraddha is also known as Naumi Shraddha and Avidhava Navami Shraddha. If the mother or wife has died before the counterpart, Mahalaya Shradh should be performed on this day.

Mahalaya Dashami Shradh 2024

Dashami Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Dashami tithi.

Mahalaya Ekadashi Shradh 2024

Ekadashi Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Ekadashi Thithi. This is also known as Gyaras Shradh in Hindi.

Mahalaya Dwadashi Shradh 2024

Dwadashi Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Dwadashi tithi. This tithi is also suitable to perform Shraddha for those who had taken renunciation or Sannyasa before death. Dwadashi Shraddha is also known as Baras Shradh.

Mahalaya Trayodashi Shradh 2024

Trayodashi Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Trayodashi tithi. This tithi is also meant to perform Shraddha for departed children. It is also known as Teras Shradh and Magha Trayodashi Shraddh.

Mahalaya Chaturdashi Shradh 2024

Chaturdashi Shraddha tithi is considered only for those deceased family members who may have met an unnatural death by weapon, snake or animal bite, accident, committed suicide or died in combat. Hence this is also known as, Visha Shastra Hatadinam Shraddha. Chaturdashi Shraddha is also known as Ghat Chaturdashi Shraddha or Ghayal Chaturdashi Shradh.

Otherwise, Chaturdashi Shraddha is not done on this tithi and is performed on Amavasya Shraddha tithi.

Ghat Chaturdashi Shraddha is on 01^st October, 2024.

Mahalaya Amavasya Shradh 2024

Amavasya tithi Shraddha is performed for those deceased family members who died on Amavasya Tithi, Purnima Tithi, and Chaturdashi Tithi – by Natural death. If someone is not able to perform Shraddha on all the three Thithis, then single Shraddha on this day may be done to appease all deceased souls in the family. If the death anniversary of ancestors is not known or forgotten, then those Shraddhas can be performed on this tithi. Hence, Amavasya Shraddha is also known as Sarvapitra Amavasya.

Mahalaya Amavasya or Sarva Pitri Amaavaasya is on 2^nd October, 2024.

Why is Shraddha important during Mahalaya Paksha?

|| श्रद्धया चरितम् श्राद्धः ||

|| ಶ್ರದ್ಧಯಾ ಚರಿತಮ್ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಃ ||

|| Sraddhaya charitam shraadhaH ||

General Belief about Shraddha (Shradh)

It is believed that after the death, the Atman or soul would remain in an intermediate Loka

a Realm known as the Pitruloka. This realm is governed by Lord Yama. The soul stays in the pitruloka until the fourth descendant enters the same.  once this happens, the soul would move to the Swarga Loka. Hence, at any given time, only three generations of the Atman would reside in the pitruloka. It is believed that the souls of the ancestors would come down and reside with the descendants in their home during this period. Therefore, one should perform the traditional ritual to satisfy the ancestors.

Tradition in Shraddha (Shradh)

It is believed that performing Tarpanam during the auspicious Mahalaya Paksha will bless your ancestors and will free them from all their sins.

Each day in the Mahalaya Paksha is ruled by a particular Thithi or Moon Phase and the benefits of offering Tarpanam on each day are different. Mahalaya Amavasya, called Amavasai in Tamil, is the last day of the Mahalaya Paksha, and is considered as the most important day in the year for performing Shradh rituals.

Shraddha Phala

Performing Shraddha or Paksha, the Pitru Devatas will be satisfied.

|| पिता ददाति सत्पुत्रान् गोधनानि पितामह: |

| धनदाता भवेत्सोपि यस्तस्य प्रपितामह: |

| दद्याद्विपुलमन्नाद्यं वृद्धस्तु प्रपितामह: |

| तृप्ता: श्राद्धेन ते सर्वे दत्वा पुत्रस्य वांछितं ||

|| ಪಿತಾ ದದಾತಿ ಸತ್ಪುತ್ರಾನ್ ಗೋಧನಾನಿ ಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

| ಧನದಾತಾ ಭವೇತ್ಸೋಪಿ ಯಸ್ತಸ್ಯ ಪ್ರಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

| ದದ್ಯಾದ್ವಿಪುಲಮನ್ನಾದ್ಯಂ ವೃದ್ಧಸ್ತು ಪ್ರಪಿತಾಮಹ: |

| ತೃಪ್ತಾ: ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧೇನ ತೇ ಸರ್ವೇ ದತ್ವಾ ಪುತ್ರಸ್ಯ ವಾಂಛಿತಂ ||

|| pitaa dadaati satputraan gOdhanaani pitaamaha: |

| dhanadaataa bhavEtsOpi yastasya prapitaamaha: |

| dadyaadvipulamannaadyam vRuddhastu prapitaamaha: |

| tRuptaa: shraaddhEna tE sarvE datvaa putrasya vaanCitam ||

|| पितृयज्ञ दिनेप्राप्तॆ, गृहद्वारं समाश्रिता:वायुभूता: |

| प्रवांछंति, श्राद्धं पितृगणानृणां |

| यावदस्तमयं भानो: क्षुत्पिपासा समाकुला: |

| निश्वस्व सुचिरं यांति गर्हयंति स्ववंशज: ||

|| ಪಿತೃಯಜ್ಞ ದಿನೇಪ್ರಾಪ್ತೆ, ಗೃಹದ್ವಾರಂ ಸಮಾಶ್ರಿತಾ: |

| ವಾಯುಭೂತಾ: ಪ್ರವಾಂಛಂತಿ, ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧಂ ಪಿತೃಗಣಾನೃಣಾಂ |

| ಯಾವದಸ್ತಮಯಂ ಭಾನೋ: ಕ್ಷುತ್ಪಿಪಾಸಾ ಸಮಾಕುಲಾ: |

| ನಿಶ್ವಸ್ವ ಸುಚಿರಂ ಯಾಂತಿ ಗರ್ಹಯಂತಿ ಸ್ವವಂಶಜ: ||

|| pitRuyajna dinEpraapte, gRuhadvaaram samaashritaa: |

| vaayubhUtaa: pravaanchaanti, shraaddham pitRugaNaanRuNaam |

| yaavadastamayam bhaanO: kShutpipaasaa samaakulaa: |

| nishvasva suchiram yaanti garhayanti svavamshaja: ||

Mahalaya Amavasya Special Thila Homam | Srirangapatna 13-14, Oct – 2023

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahalaya Paksha

Who has to perform Shraddha Mahalaya Paksha?

All those who have lost their fathers must perform Paksha.

Where should we perform Paksha/Shraddha?

It is better to do it in a kshetra. If not possible, at least in your residence.

Why one has to do Shraddha/Paksha?

One has to get discharged from mainly four Runas or Debts – known as Pitru Runa, Deva Runa, Rishi Runa and Acharya Runa.

Why Paksha will be observed during this period?

The rituals performed during 15 days of the Mahalaya are considered important and equal to that being performed in holy places like Gaya.  Offerings made to the Pitru Devatas during this fortnight reach them directly as ordained by Lord Yama.

For Pitru Devatas, one month of human period is equal to one day, and Shukla Paksha is the day and Krishna Paksha is the night for them. What we are giving as Thila-Tarpana and Pinda-pradaana during the said period will be sufficient for them throughout the year.