Pitu Paksha, also known as Shradh (or Shradha) period, starts on 7 September, 2025, and will last for 16 days, with the adherence to Maharaya Amavasya on 21 September 2025, also known as Sarva Pitu Amavasya. This period began on the Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which is dedicated to honoring someone’s ancestors and performing rituals to ensure their peace and blessings. It is believed that on this holy day, all Pitu will come from Pitu Lok to Earth and Mahalya will remain till Amavasya.
Pitru Paksha 2025 beginning and end dates
According to the Drink Almanac,
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Start: Sunday, 7 September 2025- Start with Bhadrapada Purnima (full moon)
Inner Sunday, 21 September 2025- Closing with Saravapitri Amavasya (Maulaya Amavasya)
Pitu Paksha is usually a period of 15–16 days – this year, it is observed as 16 days.
Pitu Paksha: Purnima Shraddha Time for 2025
According to the Drink Almanac,
Purnima Tithi begins: 01:41 am on September 7, 2025
The full moon fan ends: 11:38 pm on September 7, 2025
Kutup Murat: 11:54 pm to 12:44 pm (Duration: 50 minutes)
Rohina Murat: 12:44 pm to 1:34 pm (Duration: 50 minutes)
Aparna Kaal: 1:34 am to 4:05 pm (duration: 2 hours, 31 minutes)
Importance of Pitu Paksha and Shradan Rituals
Pitu Paksha holds deep spiritual significance in Hinduism. It is believed that during this time, the souls of the deceased ancestors descend to Earth to receive offerings from their living descendants. Shradan rituals performed with devotion are to provide livelihood to these souls and seek their blessings. Families often conduct these rituals with special care, especially in their horoscope to experience Pitu dosha, to remove ancestral obstacles or curses. Performing Shraddha makes peace to the departed souls and helps the family to get the blessings of ancestors for happiness, prosperity and welfare.
According to some Hindu scriptures, souls suffer after death until they receive proper offerings through reverence rituals. Pitu Paksha is seen as an important opportunity to ensure that the ancestors are later nurtured, leading to climbing and peace in high places. Hindu mythology also shows that the souls of the ancestors live in the ancestral world, which is a region ruled by Yama, the god of death, until they climb into heaven.
Pitru Paksha 2025: Rituals should be followed
Shradan rituals should be followed with purity and devotion during Pitu Paksha. Here include major stages:
1. Holy Bath: The eldest son or a person performing ritual begins by bathing in holy water, symbolizing purity.
2. Clean dress: Clean and appropriate clothes should be worn throughout the rituals.
3. Ancestor: A picture or photo of the ancestor is placed on a wooden platform, which is on the south.
4. Pind charity rituals: Prasad called Pind is made using ghee, honey, rice and barley. These offerings are to nourish the souls of the ancestors.
5. Tarpan ritual: The ancestors are offered water mixed with flour, barley, kush grass and black sesame as part of the Tarpan ritual.
6. Charity: Food and offerings from rituals are given to the poor and the underprivileged, which is an important part of the Shraddha ceremony.
7. Food Prasad: Special foods are prepared and introduced for priests and crows, which symbolizes the presence of ancestors.
8. Tapasya: 16 days are seen as a time of penance, where participants maintain calm and purity throughout the ritual.
During the Pitu Paksha, auspicious activities such as marriage or major purchases are avoided, as they are believed to disturb the peace of the ancestors.
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