Shradhha Pitru Paksha 2022: Dates, Meaning And Significance

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Shraddha Pitru Paksha 2022- Overview

In the Hindu calendar, the 16-day Pitru Paksha, or “fortnight of the ancestors,” is a time when Hindus honor their ancestors (Pitra), particularly through food offerings.

Other names for the stated time period include Pitri Paksha, Pitri Pokkho, Solah Shraddha (“sixteen shraddhas”), Kanagat, Jitiya, Mahalaya, Apara Paksha, and akhadpak, as well as Pitru Pandharavda or pitru paksh.

Hindus view Pitru Paksha as unfavorable (for starting or buying something new) because a death ritual known as Shraddha or Tarpana is conducted during the festival. It occurs in southern and western India during the second paksha (fortnight) of the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September), immediately following Ganesh Utsav.

It starts on Pratipada, the first day of the fortnight, and ends on Sarvapitri Amavasya, Pitri Amavasya, or any other day with no moon.

The autumnal equinox, when the Sun shifts from the northern to the southern hemisphere, usually occurs during this time. This time frame may correlate to the last two weeks of the luni-solar month Ashvina rather than Bhadrapada in civilizations in North India and Nepal as well as those that use the purnimanta calendar or the solar calendar.

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Duration of Shraddha Pitru Paksha 2022

The fifteen-day lunar period known as Pitru Paksha is when Hindus commemorate their ancestors, particularly through food offerings. The Shukla Paksha and Krishna Paksha are the two equal Paksha that make up each lunar month. The length of a Paksha is fifteen lunar days.

The fifteen-day period known as Pitru Paksha occurs during Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin month, according to the North Indian Purnimant Calendar.

However, fifteen days during Krishna Paksha of the Bhadrapada month are referred to as Pitru Paksha in the South Indian Amavasyant Calendar. It’s important to notice that the only difference between North Indians and South Indians’ Shraddha rituals is the naming of the lunar months.

Bhadrapada Purnima, which typically occurs one day before Pitru Paksha, is mentioned in many sources as part of the fifteen-day Pitru Paksha period. Although it is not a part of Pitru Paksha, Bhadrapada Purnima, also known as Proshthapadi Purnima, is a favorable day for performing Shraddha rites.

It should be remembered that Mahalaya Shraddha is performed on Amavasya Shraddha Tithi during Pitru Paksha rather than Bhadrapada Purnima for individuals who passed away on Purnima Tithi.

Significance of Shraddha Pitru Paksha 2022

One or two days after Ganesha Visarjan, Pitru Paksha begins. Mahalaya Paksha is another name for Pitru Paksha. Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya are two names for the final day of Pitru Paksha. This is Pitru Paksha’s most important day. The family member’s Shraddha can be conducted on Sarvapitri Amavasya if the departed person’s death date is unknown.

In Hinduism, Pitru Paksha has special importance. In Hinduism, the days of Shradh are a time for remembering and thanking our ancestors for the blessing and protection they offer to us. Hinduism holds that if one’s Pitrus are content, they will bless the family, ensuring their happiness, wealth, and serenity.

One must do Shradh rituals and Pind Daan for one’s ancestors in the Hindu religion.  Additionally, it is customary to do Shradh during Pitru Paksha. Shradh signifies gratitude and  Pitru Paksha is a time to receive ancestral blessings.

In Pitruloka, the space between heaven and earth, according to Hinduism, one’s ancestors’ souls from the three generations before them are said to reside. Yama, the lord of death, who transports a dying person’s soul from the world to Pitruloka, rules the pitra Loka.

The shraddha rites, in which Yama plays a significant role, are only performed for the first three generations in Pitruloka. The Sun enters Virgo at the start of Pitru Paksha, according to the revered Hindu epics and Vedic astrology. It is thought that at this time, the spirits depart Pitruloka and spend a month living in the homes of their children/ successors until the Sun enters the subsequent zodiac sign, Libra, and there is a full moon. During the first half of the dark fortnight, Hindus are required to please their ancestors.

Legend of Karna and Shraddha Pitru Paksha

The great donor Karna was offered jewels and gems to consume in heaven after his death in the epic Mahabharata battle. Karna, who was in need of actual food to eat, questioned Indra, the lord of heaven, as to why gold was served as food. Indra revealed to Karna that he had provided his ancestors in Shradh with gold donations all of his life, but never with food.

Karna affirmed that he had indeed never made a food donation in honor of his ancestors because he was oblivious of their existence. Karna was given the opportunity to make atonement by visiting Earth for 15 days so that he may conduct Shradh and give food and water in his honor. Those fifteen days are now known as shradha paksha or pitru paksh.

Shraddha Pitru Paksha Rituals

Shraddha ceremonies primarily involve the following:

• Vishwadeva Sthapana.
• The Pindadan
• The Tarpan
• Offering food, clothes and Dakshina to the Brahmin

In the shape of a pinda (a rounded heap of the offering), pindadan is the offering of rice, cow’s milk, ghee, sugar, and honey to the ancestors. To be effective, pandan should be performed with complete devotion, sincerity, and reverence for the departed soul.

Tarpan is the ritual offering of water flavored with white flour, black sesame, barley, and kusha grass. The Tarpan method is thought to please and satiate the ancestors.

The Shraddha process must be completed by feeding the Brahmin. Before giving food to the Brahmin, offerings are also made to the crows. In addition to feeding the brahmins and crows, some people even feed cows, dogs, and ants.