Pitru Paksha 2026: Complete Shraddha Dates, Tithi Calendar & Tarpan Vidhi

Honour your ancestors the right way this Pitru Paksha — book a verified pandit for Shraddha, Tarpan, or Pind Daan at home or at a sacred ghat, on Prayfullit.com.

Pitru Paksha 2026 is the sacred fortnight dedicated to remembering and honouring our departed ancestors (pitrs) through Shraddha, Tarpan, and Pind Daan. Falling in the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month, this 16-day period — sometimes called Mahalaya Paksha — is when families across India offer gratitude, food, and prayers for the peace of their forefathers. Here's the complete, verified Pitru Paksha 2026 date-by-date tithi calendar and everything you need to observe it correctly.

Pitru Paksha 2026: Dates & Shraddha Tithi Calendar

Pitru Paksha 2026 begins with Purnima Shraddha on Saturday, 26 September, and runs through Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) on Saturday, 10 October 2026 — the most significant day of the fortnight.

The specific Shraddha date for your ancestor is determined by the lunar tithi of their passing — not the calendar date. If you're unsure which tithi applies, Sarva Pitru Amavasya (10 October) is the day to perform Shraddha for any ancestor whose exact tithi is unknown or missed.

Best time for rituals: Shraddha is traditionally performed during Aparahna Kaal (the afternoon period), roughly 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, though this shifts slightly day to day and by city — confirm the exact window with your priest or local Panchang before the ritual.

Why Pitru Paksha Matters

Hindu scriptures describe Shraddha as an act that satisfies and honours one's ancestors — Maharshi Parashara says any offering made with devotion, sesame seeds, Kusha grass, mantras, and Havishya at the right time and place is true Shraddha. The Markandeya Purana holds that ancestors pleased by Shraddha grant their descendants long life, prosperity, knowledge, and ultimately liberation (moksha). It's also why Navratri always begins the day after Pitru Paksha ends — the fortnight of remembrance closes before the festival of new beginnings starts.

How Shraddha Rituals Vary Across India

• North India (UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana): Pind Daan holds special significance, especially at Gaya Pind Daan, Kashi, Prayag, and Badrinath.
• Maharashtra & Gujarat: Mahalaya Shraddha is marked with special dishes — Puran Poli, Katachi Amti, and offerings to Brahmins, cows, crows, and dogs.
• Bengal, Odisha & Assam: Observed mainly as Tarpan, with a holy dip and sesame-water offerings on Mahalaya Amavasya.
• South India (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, AP): Known as Pitru Karma — Mattu Amavasya in Karnataka, Mahalaya Amavasya in Tamil Nadu, and Bali offerings at the Kavu in Kerala.

Simple Shraddha Vidhi for Home Observance

• Clean the puja area and maintain a calm, respectful environment through the ritual.
• Prepare offerings of rice, sesame seeds, barley, milk, honey, and ghee (Pinda).
• Perform Tarpan — offering water and sesame seeds to ancestors, typically facing south.
• Recite ancestor names and the appropriate mantras, guided by a priest where possible.
• Offer food to Brahmins, cows, crows, and dogs after the ritual, as prescribed.
• On Sarva Pitru Amavasya, perform Shraddha for any ancestor whose tithi is unknown.

Let a Verified Pandit Guide the Ritual

Shraddha, Tarpan, and Pind Daan carry specific rules on timing, mantras, and offerings — getting them right matters. Prayfullit connects you with experienced, verified pandits for Pitru Paksha rituals at home or at sacred sites like Gaya and Varanasi. Book your Shraddha puja on Prayfullit.com today.