Pitru Paksha: Meaning, Significance, and How Shraddha Is Observed

Pitru Paksha (“fortnight of the ancestors”) is a roughly sixteen-day period in the Hindu calendar set aside specifically for remembering and honoring one’s ancestors (pitrs) through a ritual called shraddha. Unlike most festivals on the calendar, it isn’t a celebration in the usual sense — it’s a period of remembrance, gratitude, and ritual obligation toward those who came before.

When it falls

Pitru Paksha falls in the dark (waning) fortnight of the lunar month of Ashwin, typically in September, ending on Sarva Pitru Amavasya (the new moon that closes the period) — usually just before Navratri begins. As with all lunar-calendar observances, check a current panchang for the exact dates in a given year.

What shraddha involves

Shraddha is the ritual offering made to one’s ancestors, traditionally performed by the eldest son or another designated family member, most commonly on the specific tithi (lunar day) that corresponds to the ancestor’s date of death. It typically includes offerings of food (often rice balls called pinda), water, and prayers, frequently performed at a riverbank, a temple, or with the guidance of a priest. Feeding Brahmins, the poor, or even crows and other animals — believed in some traditions to carry offerings to the ancestors — is also common.

Why this period matters

The underlying belief is that duly honoring one’s ancestors supports their peace in the afterlife and, in turn, brings blessings and stability to the living family — a form of gratitude and continuity between generations rather than a request for a specific material outcome. Many families use this period to reflect on family history and lineage regardless of how elaborately they observe the formal rituals.

Common questions

What does “Pitru Paksha” mean?

“Fortnight of the ancestors” — a roughly sixteen-day period set aside for honoring and remembering one’s forebears.

What is shraddha?

The ritual offering made to one’s ancestors during Pitru Paksha, typically including food, water, and prayers, usually performed on the tithi corresponding to the ancestor’s date of death.

Why does Pitru Paksha come right before Navratri?

The calendar places this period of remembrance immediately before Navratri’s celebration of the Goddess, a sequence many understand as moving from honoring the past to celebrating renewal — see What Is Navratri? for the festival that follows.

Is Pitru Paksha considered an inauspicious time?

Many traditions avoid starting new ventures or major purchases during this period out of respect for its solemn, reflective character, though this varies by region and family custom.