New Delhi: The day after Anant Chaturdashi is well known (bidding Lord Ganesha a farewell submit the 10-day lengthy Ganpati pageant), Pitru Paksha or Pitra Paksha begins. This yr, the interval begins on September 10. The 16-day lengthy interval of Pitru Paksha is the time when Shraadh rituals of the aged and all those that left this world are carried out. It’s stated that by providing meals and performing Tarpan—the souls of our useless ancestors attain peace, thereby bestowing their blessings on the household.
Pitra means ancestors from your loved ones and Paksha is the interval that takes place earlier than the Sharad Navratri begins. Throughout this era of Pitru Paksha, many individuals carry out the Pind Daan ritual in Gaya, Bihar which is believed to be one of many holiest locations to carry out Shraadha rituals.
Pind Daanam, it’s believed, helps the departed souls attain Moksha by releasing themselves from the materialistic world. Till they get liberated from the cycle of beginning, loss of life, and rebirth, they shall roam round anxiously and live on in a state of full despair.
Pind are balls made from rice flour, wheat, sesame seeds, honey and milk. Seven pinds are made and supplied to the departed souls throughout Shraadha. In Gaya, Pinds are supplied to the footprint of Lord Vishnu close to river Falgu, Akshay Vat, Mangala Gowri and some different holy locations.
Should you want to do Pind Daan in Gaya, you’ll be able to select the seventh, fifth, third or 1st day of Amavasya with Krishna Paksha in any of the months in keeping with the Hindu calendar or in the course of the Pitru Paksha Mela held yearly. You could seek the advice of your loved ones priest that will help you select the suitable date.
The Shraadha is accomplished after observing the next rituals – Snana (bathing) and Sankalpa (willpower), Pind Daanam and eventually Tarpanam.
It’s stated that the Shraadh of a selected ancestor or relative from the household is carried out on a particular lunar day in the course of the Pitru Paksha—often, the identical day when that particular person left for the heavenly abode. Nonetheless, exceptions are made within the case of these people who die in a selected method.
Chautha Bharani and Bharani Panchami, the fourth and fifth lunar day respectively, are allotted for many who are deceased previously yr. Avidhava Navami (Unwidowed ninth), the ninth lunar day, is for married girls who died earlier than their husbands.
The meals that’s supplied to the ancestors whereas Shraadh must be cooked in both silver or copper utensils. Additionally, it’s positioned on a banana leaf or dried leaves. The meals usually contains Kheer, Lapsi, rice, dal, spring bean (guar) and a pumpkin.
Most of these following the rituals keep away from non-vegetarian meals throughout Pitru Paksha.
It’s seen that often, households set out on a pilgrimage to divine and holy locations corresponding to Varanasi and Gaya for the Shraadh ceremony.
(Having listed these guidelines, completely different areas would possibly carry out the rituals and customs otherwise relying upon their very own following.)
