Pitru Paksha 2025: The Right Time for Pitru Paksha Puja and Its Complete Rituals – A Full Guide

At White Lotus Spirituality, under the guidance of Astrologer Santosh Sharma, we aim to bring clarity on Pitru Paksha 2025. Many people search for Pitru Paksha dates, the best time for Shradh rituals, Pind Daan, and how to honour ancestors. In this full guide, you’ll find everything you need: when to perform the rituals, how they are done, what to avoid, and their deep significance.

What is Pitru Paksha & Why Pitru Paksha is Important?

Pitru Paksha, also known as Shradh Paksha, is a sacred 15-day lunar period dedicated to remembering and honouring our deceased ancestors. The word “Pitru” means forefathers, and “Paksha” means fortnight. During this period, families perform rituals like Shradh, Tarpan, Pind Daan, and other offerings to express gratitude, seek blessings, and ensure the peace of departed souls.

According to Vedic scriptures, every person is born with three debts:

• Dev Rina – debt to the gods
• Rishi Rina – debt to sages
• Pitru Rina – debt to ancestors

Pitru Paksha is specifically meant to repay the ancestral debt (Pitru Rina) through offerings, prayers, and acts of charity. Performing these rituals brings peace to ancestors, helps free their souls, and removes obstacles in the lives of their descendants. It is a period that reminds us of our spiritual roots and strengthens the bond between the living and their forefathers.

Mythological Background of Pitru Paksha

The tradition of Pitru Paksha comes from ancient times. A well-known story from the Mahabharata explains its origin. After Karna died, he reached heaven but had no food. Although he had donated gold and wealth during his life, he had never offered food to his ancestors.

Because of this, Karna was sent back to Earth for 15 days to offer food and water to his ancestors. These 15 days became known as Pitru Paksha.

This story shows that what truly matters is not wealth, but heartfelt offerings of food and devotion. Such offerings satisfy ancestors and bring blessings to the family.

Pitru Paksha 2025 Dates and Timings

In 2025, different Hindu calendars mention slightly different dates for Pitru Paksha. Both are followed in different regions.

• Some calendars: Sunday, 7 September 2025 – Sunday, 21 September 2025
• Other calendars: Wednesday, 17 September 2025 – Wednesday, 1 October 2025

The final day of the period is called Sarva Pitru Amavasya. It is the most significant day because Shradh can be performed for all ancestors, especially if their exact tithi is not known.

Important Ritual Timings in 2025

• Kutup Muhurat: 21 September 2025, from 11:47 AM to 12:37 PM
• Tarpan Time: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
• Dwadasi End Moment: 1:39 PM – 4:09 PM

These times are considered the most auspicious for performing Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan.

Significance of Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha is not just about ritual, but about gratitude. Scriptures state that when ancestors are honoured, they bless their descendants with protection, peace, health, and prosperity.

The offerings made during Pitru Paksha are believed to nourish the souls of ancestors and help them attain liberation. Families who neglect these rituals may face Pitru Dosha, which can bring difficulties in life.

Spiritually, this period reminds us to stay humble, live righteously, and remain connected to our roots.

Step-by-Step Rituals of Pitru Paksha

1. Preparation and Purity

Begin the day with a bath and wear clean clothes. Prepare ritual items such as sesame seeds, rice, kusha grass, honey, fruits, milk, and ghee. The ritual space should be clean and calm.

2. Sankalp (Resolution)

The person performing Shradh makes a vow (sankalp) to honour ancestors. Their names are remembered, and prayers for their peace are offered.

3. Tarpan (Water Offering)

Offer water mixed with black sesame seeds, kusha grass, and barley while reciting mantras. This offering symbolically quenches the thirst of ancestors.

4. Pind Daan (Rice Ball Offering)

Cooked rice, ghee, and sesame seeds are shaped into small balls called pinds and offered with devotion. This is believed to provide nourishment to the departed souls.

5. Shradh Bhoj (Feeding Others)

Sattvik food (without onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian ingredients) is cooked. It is first offered to priests, cows, crows, and needy people, and then shared by family members.

6. Charity (Daan)

Donations of food, clothes, or money are made. Charity during Pitru Paksha purifies karma and pleases the ancestors.

Regional Practices of Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha is observed across India, but customs differ slightly:

• In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Pind Daan at Gaya is considered most sacred.
• In Maharashtra, people offer special dishes like puran poli as Shradh bhoj.
• In Bengal, Pitru Paksha is followed by the start of Devi Paksha, leading into Durga Puja.
• In South India, families perform Tarpan near rivers or temples, often led by priests.

Though rituals may differ, the essence remains the same — honouring ancestors with devotion.

Best Time for Pitru Paksha Puja

The most effective time for performing rituals is during midday, between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM. This period is called Kutup Muhurat and Rohina Muhurat. It is believed that ancestors visit the Earth during these hours to accept offerings.

As Astrologer Santosh Sharma explains:
“Performing Shradh at the right time ensures that ancestors accept the offerings with satisfaction, and their blessings flow to the entire family.”

Do’s and Don’ts During Pitru Paksha

Do’s

• Perform Tarpan, Pind Daan, and Shradh sincerely.
• Cook and offer sattvik vegetarian food.
• Feed cows, birds, and needy people.
• Donate clothes, food, or money as charity.
• Maintain a pure and calm state of mind.

Don’ts

• Avoid eating non-vegetarian food, alcohol, onion, and garlic.
• Do not start new ventures or make major purchases.
• Postpone weddings, housewarmings, or celebrations.
• Avoid anger, arguments, or negative behaviour.

Remedies for Pitru Dosha

Sometimes, families face repeated problems such as delays in marriage, financial troubles, or health issues due to Pitru Dosha — an imbalance caused by unsatisfied ancestors.

Remedies include:

• Performing Shradh and Tarpan regularly.
• Donating food and clothes during Pitru Paksha.
• Feeding Brahmins, cows, and needy people.
• Chanting Pitru-related mantras.
• Performing Pind Daan at holy places like Gaya or Prayagraj.
• Wearing a combination of 9 Mukhi Rudraksha and 12 Mukhi Rudraksha helps to reduce the negative impact of Pitru Dosha.

With proper guidance from experts like Astrologer Santosh Sharma, Pitru Dosha can be pacified, bringing relief and prosperity to the family.

Where to Perform Pitru Paksha Shradh

Some of the most sacred places for Shradh and Pind Daan include:

• Gaya, Bihar – considered the holiest site.
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – rituals on the banks of the Ganga.
• Prayagraj – at the Triveni Sangam.
• Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik – other important pilgrimage centers.

However, if you cannot travel, Shradh can also be performed at home with full devotion and guidance from an experienced astrologer or priest.

Benefits of Pitru Paksha Puja

• Peace and liberation for departed souls.
• Removal of Pitru Dosha and family obstacles.
• Blessings of prosperity, health, and harmony.
• Protection from negative energies.
• Strengthening of family bonds and unity.
• Spiritual growth and purification.

Guidance from Astrologer Santosh Sharma

At White Lotus Spirituality, Astrologer Santosh Sharma offers personalized consultation for performing Pitru Paksha rituals. He can help you:

• Choose the correct date and muhurat for Shradh.
• Perform rituals at home if you cannot travel.
• Identify and remove Pitru Dosha from your horoscope.
• Understand remedies that bring peace to ancestors and blessings to the family.

Conclusion

Pitru Paksha 2025 is a sacred period to honour our forefathers, repay our ancestral debt, and strengthen our spiritual foundation. Performing Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan during this time ensures peace for ancestors and blessings for the family.

For complete guidance and personal consultation, connect with Astrologer Santosh Sharma at White Lotus Spirituality.

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If you are unsure about:

• The exact date and muhurat for your family’s Shradh
• Remedies for Pitru Dosha in your horoscope
• How to perform Shradh at home or in holy places
• The correct rituals for your family tradition

Then don’t leave it to chance. Book a one-on-one consultation with Astrologer Santosh Sharma today. His deep experience in astrology, spiritual guidance, and Vedic rituals will help you perform Pitru Paksha 2025 pujas with full faith and correctness.