Pitru Paksha 2022: Significance, Rituals, and Dates

India is a land where festivals, rituals, Pooja, and many more things are celebrated with utter joy. But India is a land where the shraddha ritual is also performed, in remembrance of departed souls. This ritual leads our life with spiritual consciousness and has a deeper meaning than we thought. Every year we perform holy rituals for Pitru Paksha. The Pitru paksha is a 16-day period that begins during the Purnima tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Hindu calendar. Pitru paksha ritual is performed by Hindus to remember the contribution of ancestors to their life and ends on Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. In this article you'll get to know more about Pitru paksha, rituals, significance, do's and don'ts of this ritual, date, tithi, and many more things.

Significance

In the Hindu religion and according to Garuda Puran when people die the soul leaves the body and remains alive till the end of the universe. The soul never dies and it remains in pain due to many reasons such as grief, and hunger. So in these 16 days of Pitru Paksha souls get satisfied by getting food and clothes from their near and dear ones.

When a person dies and the funeral is performed, it is made sure to put the body at rest for good. It is imperative for the soul to attain Moksha or peace as well. Hence, it is very important to conduct shraddha each year. As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that the souls of the previous three generations reside in Pitru- Loka which is known as the realm between heaven and earth. This realm is headed by the God of death Yama. It is said that when the person from the next generation dies, the first generation is taken to heaven bringing them closer to God. Only the last three generations in Pitru-Loka are given Shraddha rights. It is believed that when the shraddha ritual is performed rightly the departed elder ones bless us with joy and abundance in their lives.

Rituals 

The shraddha ritual is usually performed by the oldest son of the deceased or any male relative. But in some cases, women can too perform the shraddha ritual. During shraddha day one must remember the right and proper tithi of the departed soul, then only shraddha will be conducted on the right day.

The elder son must get up early in the morning and take a holy bath and wear a dhoti-kurta to perform this ritual. Havan or Shraddha Ahuti must be performed with ghee and black sesame seeds at native places. After that food must be divided into parts according to Hindu mythology. One part belongs to fire, one part belongs to cow, one part belongs to the dog the and last part belongs to crow. It is believed that in any of the following forms ancestors can consume whatever food we have prepared. That's why it is said to prepare ancestors' favorite dishes or food during that day.

For people who do not perform such rituals and activities during Shraddha Paksha, it is believed that their Pitru or ancestors curse them and this creates Pitra dosha in the family. 

Pitru Paksha 2022: do's and don'ts

Pitru Paksha is called a mourning period by some people, as during these days we remember our elders and departed souls. There are some do's and don'ts that need to be kept in mind while performing shraddha rituals carefully, they are-

Do's

1. Include black sesame seeds and barley seeds during the rituals as it is very pure.
2. If possible do perform havan at your place, as it cleanses all negativity.
3. Do charity as well, charity is commonly known as Daan in the Hindu religion, it is believed that when you give clothes and food to someone who needs them, especially during these 16 days period, then your ancestors will bless you with prosperity.
4. Offer Satvik food to everyone during these days. 
5. To perform a proper ritual during Shradh Pind is prepared. It is made from rice, ghee Honey, goat's milk, sugar, and barley.
6. The Pind is done followed by tarpan where water is mixed with the flower Barley Khush and black sesame seeds.

Don'ts

1. Do not buy new things, clothes, jewelry, or property during these days, as these are called inauspicious days
2. Do not consume alcohol and non-vegetarian food during these days as this comes in the non-Satvik food category.
3. One must avoid doing any auspicious activities during Pitru Paksha
4. Some activities like cutting nails, hair, and shaving are prohibited these days.

Pitru Paksha 2022: Date and tithi

This year shraddha paksha is starting on the 10th of September and ends on the 25th of September, following is the complete tithi calendar to perform Pitru Paksha rituals.

10th September 2020 (Saturday) -Purnima shraddha
10th September 2022 (Saturday)- Pratipada Shraddha
11th September 2022 (Sunday)- Dwitiya shraddha or Dooj shraddha
12th September 2022 (Monday)- Tritiya shraddha
13th September 2022 (Tuesday)- Chaturthi Shraddha
14th September 2022 (Wednesday)- Panchami
15th September (Thursday)- Shashti shraddha
16th September 2022 (Friday)- Saptami shradh
18th September 2022 (Sunday)- Ashtami shradh
19th September 2022 (Monday)- Navami shraddha
20th September 2022 (Tuesday)- Dashami shraddha
21st September 2022 (Wednesday)- Ekadashi shradh
22nd September 2022 (Thursday)- Dwadashi shraddha
23rd September 2020 (Friday)- Trayodashi Shraddha
24th September 2022 (Saturday)- Chaturdashi shraddha
25th September 2022 (Sunday)-  Sarva Pitru Amavasya or Amavasya shradh