Pitra Paksha: Honoring Ancestors with Shradh and Tarpan Rituals
New delhi (The Uttam Hindu): According to the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha is considered to start from the Pratipada date of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month. This time is especially important for rituals like Shradh and Tarpan. It is believed that during this time the ancestors come to earth and get satisfaction from their descendants through Tarpan and Pinddaan.
On this occasion, devotees perform Shradh rituals for the peace of the soul of their ancestors, salvation and happiness and prosperity of the family. The month of Ashwin is starting on 8 September.
According to the Panchang, 8th September is the Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha, which will be effective till 9:11 pm. After this, Dwitiya Tithi begins. On this day, Poorva Bhadrapad Nakshatra remains effective till 8:02 pm and after that Uttara Bhadrapad Nakshatra remains effective. During the day, Dhriti Yoga, then Shool Yoga and finally Gand Yoga are formed. From the Karani Drishti, the Yoga of Balav, Kaulav and Taitil Karanas is formed.
If we look at the position of the planets, then the Sun is located in Leo and the Moon enters Pisces after staying in Aquarius till 02:29 PM. The sunrise of the day is at 06:03 AM and sunset at 06:34 PM, while moonrise is at 06:58 PM and moonset is at 06:24 AM the next morning.
Talking about the auspicious times, Brahma Muhurta is from 04:31 to 05:17. Abhijeet Muhurta is from 11:53 to 12:44 and Vijay Muhurta is from 02:24 to 03:14. Twilight and Sandhya Muhurta are also effective around sunset respectively. At the same time, inauspicious time is Rahukaal from 07:37 to 09:11 and Gulik Kaal from 01:52 to 03:26, in which the start of any auspicious work is considered forbidden.
On this day, the effect of Panchak is also there for the whole day, due to which it is considered appropriate to postpone auspicious works, especially house construction, marriage or travel. Since the direction shool is in the east direction, it is advisable to avoid traveling in that direction.
According to religious traditions related to Shraddha, on Pratipada Tithi, the Shraddha of those ancestors is performed who died on this Tithi, or whose death date is not known. Especially the Shraddha of maternal grandparents or maternal ancestors is performed on this day.
While performing Shraddha, it is necessary to purify the house, sprinkle Gangajal, face south and offer tarpan, and feed Brahmins and give donations with pure feelings. Kheer made of milk, white flowers, sesame seeds, honey, Gangajal, and white clothes are considered especially fruitful in Shraddha. Offering Panchbali, donating cows, food, and clothes pleases the ancestors and brings happiness and prosperity to the family.