There are moments when grief and gratitude sit at the same table. Pitru Paksha is one of those moments: a tender, intense 16-day period when we stop, remember, and feed the line of ancestors who made us possible. It is responsibility, repair, and love in action. During these Shraddha days, we listen, offer, and try simple ways to ease ancestral unrest and welcome blessings into our lives.

Across generations, Pitru Paksha remains a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual observance that connects past and present. It calls for mindfulness, heartfulness, and humility, asking us to turn our gaze backwards with reverence and forward with hope. So, let us explore its dates, rituals, remedies, and the deep spiritual importance that make Pitru Paksha one of the most profound observances. 

What is Pitru Paksha, and why is it important?

Pitru Paksha is a 16-day period in the lunar calendar set aside to honour ancestors. It is believed that during these days, ancestors return to receive offerings from their families. By performing Shraddha: feeding, giving, and praying—we ease Pitru Rin (ancestral debt), bring peace to departed souls, and invite blessings for health, prosperity, and harmony.

What makes Pitru Paksha special is the pause it creates. It is not a time for new beginnings: no weddings, no big launches, because the focus is remembrance, not celebration. Across India, the rituals may differ, but the heart stays the same: a pure intention, simple offerings, and acts of charity. It is a season of reflection, repair, and gratitude, a chance to honour the roots that hold our lives steady.

Pitru Paksha 2025 Date and key timings for rituals and shraddha

Pitru Paksha is a sacred fortnight dedicated to honouring and remembering our ancestors through Shraddha and Tarpan rituals. Observing these rites at the right time is believed to amplify their spiritual benefits, helping ease ancestral debts and inviting peace into the family. Below are the important dates and muhurats for Pitru Paksha 2025 to guide your reference.

Pitru Paksha Period: September 7 to September 21, ending on Mahalaya Amavasya

Purnima Shraddha: Sunday, 7 September 2025

Purnima Tithi Begins: 01:41 am, September 7

Purnima Tithi Ends: 11:38 pm, September 7

Kutup Muhurat: 11:46 am to 12:35 pm

Rohina Muhurat: 12:35 pm to 01:24 pm

Aparahna Kaal: 01:24 pm to 03:51 pm

Kutup and Rohina muhurats on Purnima are ideal for performing Shraddha and Tarpan rituals. Aparahna Kaal is also accepted in many traditions. 

Core rituals: How to observe Shraddha and Tarpan (simple steps)

Purify: Start with a morning bath; add Gangajal if possible. This is more than hygiene. It is a symbolic cleansing of the self before connecting with ancestors.

Sankalpa: Take a clear vow, name the ancestor, and state your purpose. The strength of your intention shapes the energy of the ritual.

Tarpan: Offer water with black sesame seeds while facing south (the direction of ancestors).

Pinddaan: Place rice or flour balls as symbolic food for the departed. This act is believed to nourish the subtle bodies of ancestors.

Feed the Needy and Animals: Offer food to a Brahmin, or donate grains. Feeding cows, dogs, and crows is considered highly auspicious.

Charity: Give daily if possible; even a small gift counts. Every offering is a step towards easing ancestral debt.

Food: Eat simple vegetarian meals, avoiding onion, garlic, and meat. The sattvic diet keeps the body pure and the mind calm, aligning you with the ancestors’ blessings.

Pitru Paksha Remedies: Traditional and contemporary practices you can follow

• Perform Tarpan with sesame water.

• Feed Brahmins and animals.

• To deepen these practices, you can chant the Gayatri Mantra for clarity and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for peace and healing. Listen and chant along on AstroSure.ai to anchor your rituals with sound.

• Light a ghee lamp and offer Tulsi leaves.

• After Tarpan sound healing tracks to clear energy. You can always steam them on Astrosure.ai. 

• Wear white or light yellow clothing for calmness and spiritual focus.

• Light a ghee lamp, meditate on one ancestor for 108 breaths, then release the flame with gratitude.

Regional notes and special Pitru Paksha observances

• The holy city of Gaya in Bihar is among the most powerful pilgrimage sites for Shraddha, where offerings at the Ganga ghats are believed to carry immense merit.

• In South and West India, Pitru Paksha rituals often begin after Ganesh Utsav, following regional calendars and local traditions that emphasise familial participation.

• Special fasts and havans, such as Uma–Mahesh Vrat and the Maha Mrityunjaya Havan, may be performed during this time for strengthening family health, harmony, and protection from untimely death.

Practical do’s and don’ts during Pitru Paksha

• Do keep your home clean and quiet.

• Do share prasadam with humility and respect.

• Do note ancestor names and favourite foods to personalise offerings.

• Do perform morning purification baths and face south during Tarpan.

• Don’t host loud celebrations or start new ventures like weddings or housewarmings during this period.

Astrology’s role in deepening Pitru Paksha observance

Pitru Paksha gains strength when aligned with your personal astrological chart. Different ancestors relate to different houses and planets in your horoscope, helping you target rituals more effectively. Generate your chart on AstroSure.ai and consult Agastyaa to discover the ideal days, mantras, and donations best suited for your family lineage. Even small, well-timed actions carry profound impact.

Pitru Paksha 2025 is a sacred pause when remembrance gradually transforms family karma. Keep your observance simple with a clean bath, clear offerings, donations, and mindful chanting. 

For personalised muhurats, mantras, and tailored Shraddha guidance, ask Agastyaa on AstroSure.ai

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Pitru Paksha 2025

Q1: When is Pitru Paksha 2025?

Pitru Paksha 2025 starts on Sunday, 7 September 2025 and ends on Sunday, 21 September 2025, concluding with Mahalaya Amavasya, the final day for ancestral rites.

Q2: What is the significance of Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha is a sacred 16-lunar-day period dedicated to honouring ancestors through rituals like Shraddha and Tarpan. It helps ease ancestral debts, calms restless souls, and invites blessings for family health, peace, and prosperity.

Q3: What are the core rituals performed during Pitru Paksha?

The major rituals include:

• Shraddha: Food offerings and prayers to ancestors.

• Tarpan: Offering water mixed with black sesame seeds facing south.

• Pinddaan: Symbolic rice or flour balls offered as nourishment to departed souls.

• Feeding Brahmins, needy people, and animals for spiritual merit.

Q4: What are the auspicious timings (muhurat) to perform Shraddha and Tarpan?

Ideal timings on the day of Purnima include:

Kutup Muhurat: 11:46 am – 12:35 pm

Rohina Muhurat: 12:35 pm – 1:24 pm

Aparahna Kaal: 1:24 pm – 3:51 pm

These muhurats generally apply throughout Pitru Paksha with some regional variations.

Q5: Are there any dietary restrictions during Pitru Paksha?

Yes, it is recommended to follow a sattvic diet: simple vegetarian food without onion, garlic, or meat, to maintain purity during rituals.