If you are wondering what is Pitru Paksha 2026, you have arrived at the right place. Pitru Paksha 2026, also known as Shraadh Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha, is a sacred 16 day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to remembering and offering gratitude to our ancestors.
The period of Pitru Paksha is believed to be inauspicious by the Hindu religion due to the death rites performed in the rituals. The Pitru Paksha Shraddha is performed for three generations of ‘Pitra’. During this time, families offer food and prayers to their ancestors.
The practice is performed to remove any ‘pitru dosh’ and ensure that the family stays blessed. Performed only by the male members of the family, the ritual may vary region to region.
In this blog, we will discuss in depth what is Pitru paksha, when is Pitru Paksha starting, the complete Pitru Paksha 2026 Tithi Calendar, how to do pitru paksha puja at home, and finally how you can book Shradh Puja with Pandits Near Me.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Dates
Pitru Paksha 2026 will start on 26th September and end on 10th October 2026. This period will be observed as Sarva Pitri Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya.
In different regions, these days are also known as Shradh Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Tithi Calendar
| Date | Day | Tithi/Shraadh |
| 26 September 2026 | Saturday | Purnima Shraddha |
| 27 September 2026 | Sunday | Pratipada Shraddha |
| 28 September 2026 | Monday | Dwitiya Shraddha |
| 29 September 2026 | Tuesday | Tritiya Shraddha |
| 30 September 2026 | Wednesday | Chaturthi/ Panchami Shraddha |
| 1 October 2026 | Thursday | Shashthi Shraddha |
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Saptami Shraddha |
| 3 October 2026 | Saturday | Ashtami Shraddha |
| 4 October 2026 | Sunday | Navami Shraddha |
| 5 October 2026 | Monday | Dashami Shraddha |
| 6 October 2026 | Tuesday | Ekadashi Shraddha |
| 7 October 2026 | Wednesday | Dwadashi Shraddha |
| 8 October 2026 | Thursday | Trayodashi Shraddha |
| 9 October 2026 | Friday | Chaturdashi Shraddha |
| 10 October 2026 | Saturday | Sarva Pitri Amavasya |
Significance of Pitru Paksha
The basis of Pitru Paksha Shraddha, or Mahalaya Paksha, is the belief that the ancestors remain attached to their descendants. In the Hindu religion, it is very crucial to honor one’s forefathers to complete the spiritual journey.
The pitru paksha rituals are performed to build a bridge between the living descendants and their ancestors to support the bond of love and material duty.
By performing the Pitru Paksha shradh puja, people can resolve their family matters that are, either knowingly or unknowingly, linked to the soul of their ancestors. Once the Pitru Paksha puja is completed, the departed souls bless their families.
Key spiritual significance includes:
Honoring and remembering departed ancestors
Seeking peace for ancestral souls
Expressing gratitude for family lineage and traditions
Removing ancestral doshas or unresolved karmic influences
Promoting family unity, well-being, and prosperity
Also read this blog: 14 Types of Pitru Dosha and Their Effects in Your Life
Important Rituals Performed During Pitru Paksha 2026
During Pitru Paksha 2026, several simple and traditional rituals are recommended to honor your ancestors.
Daily Tarpan
Tarpan is one of the most important rituals observed during Pitru Paksha. Devotees offer water mixed with black sesame seeds and sacred ingredients while chanting prayers for their ancestors. This ritual is commonly performed near rivers, ponds, or at home.
Key Elements of the Ritual Include:
Offering water to departed souls with devotion
Using black sesame seeds, barley, and kusa grass
Performing the ritual during morning hours
Praying for peace, blessings, and liberation of ancestors
Feeding Animals (Kagwal)
Feeding animals during Pitru Paksha Shraddha is considered highly auspicious. In many Hindu traditions, crows are believed to symbolize ancestral spirits. This ritual represents gratitude, charity, and remembrance of departed family members.
Common Practices Include:
Offering food to crows as a mark of respect to ancestors
Feeding cows, dogs, ants, and birds
Preparing simple sattvic food offerings
Practicing kindness and compassion toward living beings
Feeding Brahmins and Donations
Many families perform acts of charity during Mahalaya Paksha to earn blessings for both ancestors and future generations. Donations are believed to bring spiritual merit and peace to the ancestral souls.
Popular Charitable Practices Include:
Serving meals to Brahmins
Donating clothes, food grains, and utensils
Offering monetary donations to the needy
Supporting poor families or temple services
Pind Daan/ Shraadh
Pind Daan and Shraadh are sacred ancestral rituals performed with proper prayers and offerings under guidance. Many devotees perform these rituals at holy places, temples, or family homes according to the regional customs and traditions.
The Ritual Generally Involves:
Preparing pind offerings using rice, barley flour, sesame seeds, and ghee
Offering prayers for departed ancestors
Performing rituals on specific tithi dates
Seeking moksha and peace for ancestral souls
How to do Pitru Paksha Puja at Home
While families visit holy places like Haridwar, Kashi, Prayagraj, and others to perform Pitru Paksha Puja, you can perform these rituals at home with pandit guidance.
Preparation
Clean the entire house and arrange a sacred place to perform the pitru paksha puja.
Arrange a picture of your ancestor and place it in a sacred place on a clean piece of cloth.
Invocation
Light a diya filled with ghee and arrange some agarbatti (incense sticks) around it.
Summon your ancestors with devotional prayers and mantras.
Offerings
For the food offerings, prepare homemade sattvic food.
Offer Pind Daan.
Perform Tarpan.
Donations
Serve the prepared food to Brahmins to complete the ritual.
Also donate to the poor and needy people to help them.
Feed the cows.
Closing
Even though the rituals are performed on the exact day of the ancestor’s anniversary, you must read scriptures every day for the entire period.
Express your gratitude while singing devotional mantras to your ancestors.
Pitru Paksha in Different Regions of India
Pitru Paksha 2026 is observed all around India, but the rituals, customs, and emphasis do vary state by state. The core practice of honoring ancestors remains the same, while local traditions shape how ceremonies are performed.
North India (The Purnimant Calendar)
In states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab, the month begins after the Purnima (full moon).
Key Sites: Gaya (Bihar) is considered the most sacred spot. It is believed that performing Pinda Daan here grants the soul immediate liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Rituals: Families often visit the banks of the Ganga or local holy rivers to perform the Tarpan.
South India (The Amavasyant Calendar)
In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, Pitru Paksha falls during the month of Bhadrapada or Ashvin, depending on the local calendar.
Tamil Nadu: Known as Mahalaya Paksha. People often visit Rameswaram to perform rituals.
Kerala: While Karkidaku Vavu is a major ancestral day, Mahalaya Amavasya is also observed with great devotion at temples like Aluva Manappuram.
West India (Gujarat & Maharashtra)
Gujarat: The period is strictly observed, and many families avoid starting new ventures or buying expensive items like jewelry or cars.
Maharashtra: It is common to offer a specific meal called Swayampaka (raw food materials) to Pandits or the needy if a full ceremony cannot be performed. Crow feeding is a central part of the ritual here, as crows are seen as messengers from their ancestors.
East India (West Bengal & Odisha)
West Bengal: The final day, Mahalaya, is the most significant. It marks the end of Mahalaya Paksha and the beginning of Durga Puja.
Odisha: Many visit the Jagannath Temple in Puri to perform the rites near the Baisipahacha (the 22 steps).
Book Shradh Puja with Pandits Near Me
Ensure your ancestral rituals are performed correctly and on time with verified pandits who guide every step of the Shraadh process with proper methods.
If you are searching for Pitru Paksha 2026 dates, it is important to plan your rituals in advance so that all ceremonies like Tarpan, Pind Daan, and Shraadh are performed on the correct tithi.
Not sure when is pitru paksha starting? Get complete date guidance along with the right muhurat so you don’t miss any important day of ancestral worship.
Why Book Shradh Puja with Pandits Near Me Now?
Verified and experienced pandits for correct ritual execution
Guidance on proper Shraadh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan procedures
Assistance with Pitru Paksha 2026 dates and muhurat
Option for home, temple, or sacred river-side rituals
Hassle-free arrangements for complete ancestral puja
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Book Shradh Puja with Pandits Near Me and ensure your Pitru Paksha Puja and rituals are performed with accuracy, devotion, and full traditional authenticity.
