Pitru Paksha is a holy and spiritual period, lasting for 16 lunar days in the Hindu calendar. During this period, Hindu devotees pay homage to their ancestors (Pitris). This is also known as Shradh Paksha, Mahalaya or Apara Paksha. It is extremely important for all Hindu families, as they thank, ask for forgiveness and conduct rituals to ensure the peace and liberation of departed souls. Read this article to know more about Pitru Paksha, the dates and other aspects of Pitru Paksha this year.
The Spiritual Importance of Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha represents the eternal bond between the living and the dead. During these fifteen to sixteen days, it is believed that ancestral souls come down to earth and receive homage and offering from their descendants. This time is not about sadness but about remembrance and respect. When people perform Shraddha (ritual offering), it is believed that ancestors reach moksha (spiritual liberation) and resolve their worldly debts (Pitru Rin).
The scriptures are paramount about responsibility to one’s ancestors during Pitru Paksha. For example, the Garuda Purana says one cannot hope for salvation without performing tribute to their ancestors. The Markandeya Purana goes on to state that when ancestors are satisfied, they bless descendants with health, affluence, longevity, and knowledge. The procedures reaffirm the bond of lineage over generations as long as blood exists among living relatives, such as the past, present and future treating kinships by blood as well as our spiritual debt, to our ancestors.
It is widely believed that by performing these rites, the living will receive peace, obstacles are removed, and happiness and prosperity take residence in their life. It is for these reasons that Pitru Paksha is revered and enchained to Hindu spirituality, and culture.
Important Dates and Timing of Pitru Paksha 2025
Pitru Paksha in 2025 is observed from September 7 to September 21, on Sarvapitri Amavasya aka the day of Mahalaya Amavasya when the day of offering collective prayers for all ancestors’ souls is done.
Below is the table with the detailed schedule of the important days of Pitru Paksha 2025:
| Date (2025) | Lunar Tithi | Day Name | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 7 | Krishna Paksha Pratipada | Pitru Paksha’s first day | Start of Pitru Paksha, beginning of ancestor rituals |
| September 12 | Krishna Paksha Shashthi | Shashthi Shradh | Rituals dedicated to the sixth ancestor generation |
| September 13 | Krishna Paksha Saptami | Saptami Shradh | Important Shradh day for ancestors |
| September 14 | Krishna Paksha Ashtami | Ashtami Shradh | Rituals for peace and prosperity of ancestors |
| September 15 | Krishna Paksha Navami | Navami Shradh | Offerings to ancestors to get their blessings |
| September 16 | Krishna Paksha Dashami | Dashami Shradh | Ancestor homage and prayer rituals by family members |
| September 20 | Krishna Paksha Amavasya | Sarvapitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) | Most important day for collective shradh rituals |
| September 21 | Shukla Paksha Pratipada | Pitru Paksha’s last day | Last day of rituals. Ancestors attain moksha and heavenly abode |
The traditional Pitru Paksha 16-day ritual period is also divided into auspicious times or muhurats, which indicate the best time to make offerings. Each day has important time windows such as:
- Kutup Muhurat: 11:50 AM to 12:40 PM
- Rohina Muhurat: 12:40 PM to 01:30 PM
- Aparahna Kaal (the afternoon period): 01:30 PM to 04:00 PM
Discerning these timings is important to complete rituals successfully and make them as spiritually effective as possible, as well as being faithful to tradition itself.
Essential Rituals of Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha has key rituals in the observance of the rites as well including the following:
- Shraddha: Ritual prayers and offerings, conducted by the eldest son, aims to invoke the souls and spirits of father/deceased ancestors’ blessings to family.
- Tarpan: Offerings of water mixed with sesame (til) seeds and barley are presented to the ancestors’ souls.
- Pind Daan: Offerings of rice balls (pindas) which represent the physical body and help release or liberate the soul to moksha.
- Feeding of Brahmins and the Needy: Another form of charity and feeding of Brahmins, which is considered a way to share blessings and good deeds.
Families also conduct strict restraint during Pitru Paksha, as there is a prohibition for all new auspicious activities such as marriages, house warming, business commencement, etc. Pitru Paksha is deemed a spiritually sensitive period and is undesirable to begin such modes of activity.
Regional Differences and Cultural Practices
Although Pitru Paksha is revered all over India and the customs of worshipping of the ancestors is not a new one, the specifics of rituals, as well as the dates and timeline of Pitru Paksha vary from region to region throughout India.
In North India, Pitru Paksha is primarily in the lunar month of Ashwin, while in South Indian Amanta calendar, the period of Pitru Paksha is in Bhadrapada. Apart from variations relative to calendar months, the actual rituals and practices are essentially the same.
Some attention is also given to Sarvapitri Amavasya, the last day of Pitru Paksha where collective prayers can take place when someone’s daily Shraddha is missed. Many observe the day with great respect and perform a collective offering at rivers or sacred places.
Pitru Paksha and its Benefits and Beliefs
The beliefs surrounding Pitru Paksha include a host of hopeful and positive outcomes for those who diligently observe the significance and traditions of Pitru Paksha:
- Relief from Pitru Dosha: Performing the rites removes many of the obstacles and negative acts which were verbally or by consequence caused by violations or transgressions made while persistently observing a ritual for deceased ancestors.
- Paternal Blessings of Prosperity: Ancestors are said to confer blessings of fortune, wealth, health and happiness, upon their descendants.
- Spiritual Peace: It helps the deceased ancestors to find peace and ensure their Moksha; and for the living descendants, to achieve peace of mind and family peace.
- Ending Debts: The rites invariably help to end worldly debts, hence breaking a cycle of suffering, obstructions and illness associated with unsettled or anguished ancestors.
Pitru Paksha 2025 Highlights
- Pitru Paksha starts September 7 and ends September 21 with Sarvapitri Amavasya.
- The occasion is said to be a time when the souls of our ancestors descend to visit their descendants.
- The rituals of Shraddha and Tarpan are meant to purify the ancestors’ souls of the Tamsik “cover”, so that they may attain Moksha.
- During Pitru Paksha we do not start new projects, such as wedlock or opening a business, so we do not disturb the journey of the ancestors.
- Feeding Brahmins or doing charity will multiply the merit of the rituals you did for your ancestors.
- Key ritual times are Kutup Muhurat, Rohina Muhurat, and in the afternoons during Aparahna Kaal.
- While customs may vary regionally we all can agree that the purpose and essence of honoring your ancestors is the same.
- Sarvapitri Amavasya is the most important day to honor ancestors as a collective practice to trace the blessings and peace of all our ancestors.
Conclusion
Pitru Paksha 2025 is an enormous calling to honor the roots that kept the family tree strong. Through devotion, ritual and remembrance during these sacred sixteen days, Hindus are able to reiterate their thanks and obligations spiritually to their ancestors. Remembering ancestors is less about the grief of loss through death, and more about commemorating ancestors, strengthening and renewing biological connections to family roots, the hopeful foretelling of blessings from our ancestors and the renewed peace during their spiritual journey.
Knowing about Pitru Paksha and actually performing Pitru Paksha strengthens cultural identity and enhances spiritual life and family harmony, making it one of the most cherished customs in the Hindu calendar in 2025 and beyond.
