Pitru Paksha

Pithru Paksha which is also called as Shraddh Paksha is dedicated to Pithru devatas or ancestors who are dead.  It starts from September 24 and ends on October 7and it begins in the first day of during Ashwin Month, this is according to the North Indian calendar but as per the People staying in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Pitru Paksha starts from the 2nd half of Bhadrapad Mass.

According to the Hindu Mythology, Shraddh which is performed during this time reached to their ancestor’s soul to rest in peace. As per the Rudras act families of the dead ancestors during this Pitru Paksha perform some ritual and offer food to their dead ancestors. And ancestors bless those who perform this ritual. The last day of the Pitru Paksha is considered to be very important and is mostly performed in river banks or in temples.

Performing Shraddh is very beneficial for the dead ancestors as all the sinful acts that are performed by the dead person get clean. And those souls of which Shraddh is not performed said to be wandering aimlessly in earth.

People during Pitru Paksha keep fast and stay away from eating non-vegetarian foods.  Some even don’t shave or cut their hair till the last of the day of Shraddh.