Pitru Paksha 2026: Dates, Shraddh Calendar and Which Tithi to Observe

Devotees across India prepare to offer water and black sesame seeds to their ancestors as the Bhadrapada Purnima approaches. The period of Pitru Paksha 2026 begins on 26 September and continues until the dark moon night of Ashwina Amavasya. You will learn the exact sequence of the sixteen days and how to perform tarpan for those whose departure dates you cannot recall.

Quick Takeaways

• The shraddh calendar 2026 begins with Purnima Shraddh on 26 September and ends on 10 October.
• Perform all rituals during the Kutup and Rohina muhurat for the offerings to reach your ancestors.
• Observe sarva pitru amavasya 2026 on 10 October to honour ancestors with unknown tithis.
• Offer black sesame, Kusha grass, and clean water while facing the South direction during tarpan.

Event Name	Tithi Window	Date in 2026	Muhurat Timing
Purnima Shraddh	Bhadrapada Purnima	26 September	Kutup and Rohina
Pratipada Shraddh	Ashwina Krishna Pratipada	27 September	Kutup and Rohina
Maha Bharani	Bharani Nakshatra	29 September	Kutup and Rohina
Matamah Shraddh	Ashwina Krishna Navami	4 October	Kutup and Rohina
Sarva Pitru Amavasya	Ashwina Amavasya	10 October	Kutup and Rohina

Why This Matters

Pitru Paksha is the fortnightly period when the veil between the world of the living and the Pitru Loka is thin. Our ancestors visit the earthly plane to receive offerings from their descendants during these sixteen specific days. This tradition prevents the souls of our departed family members from wandering in hunger or thirst. It is an act of gratitude for the life and lineage we have received from them over generations.

The significance of these offerings is documented in the Garuda Purana, Preta Khanda. This text explains how the subtle bodies of the departed rely on the essence of the pind and water offered by sons. Failure to perform these duties can lead to Pitru Dosha, which affects the peace and growth of the entire family. Many devotees travel to Gaya, Kashi, or the banks of the Yamuna in Vrindavan to perform these rituals with greater intensity.

By offering tarpan, a devotee settles the Pitru Rin (ancestral debt) that every person carries from birth. This period is also known as Kanagat in North India, where the presence of ancestors is felt in every household. You can learn more about the specific steps of the ceremony in our guide on shraddh vidhi and tarpan at home to ensure your offerings are accepted.

 

 

 

 

Observing Pitru Paksha 2026: The 16-Day Shraddh Calendar

The First Phase: From Purnima to Panchami

The cycle begins on 26 September with Purnima Shraddh, which is for those who passed on a full moon day. On 27 September, the Pratipada Shraddh is observed, followed by Dwitiya on 28 September. If a family member passed away on a Tritiya tithi, their shraddh falls on 28 September. The Chaturthi shraddh occurs on 29 September, coinciding with the Maha Bharani day, which is considered especially sacred for those who died recently.

Panchami Shraddh falls on 30 September in 2026. During these days, the performer should apply yellow chandan as a tilak after completing the morning tarpan. Every offering must be made between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, which covers the Kutup and Rohina muhurat. This is the time when the sun is directly overhead and the energy of the ancestors is most accessible.

The Middle Phase: From Shashti to Dwadashi

Shashti Shraddh is observed on 1 October, followed by Saptami on 2 October. On 3 October, the Ashtami shraddh is performed for those who departed on the eighth day of the lunar fortnight. A very important day is 4 October, known as Navami Shraddh or Matamah Shraddh. This day is specifically dedicated to mothers and maternal ancestors, even if their actual death tithi was different.

Dashami Shraddh falls on 5 October, Ekadashi on 6 October, and Dwadashi on 7 October. The Dwadashi tithi is also reserved for those who had taken Sanyas before their departure. During these middle days, many families light a small havan diya to purify the home atmosphere before the Pind Daan begins. The smoke from the medicinal herbs in the diya is said to please the visiting spirits.

The Final Phase: From Trayodashi to Amavasya

Magha Shraddh occurs on 7 October during the Trayodashi tithi. The final and most significant day is 10 October, which marks the end of the period. This day serves as the deadline for all remaining offerings. It is the time to bid a respectful farewell to the ancestors as they return to their loka. You can read our sarva pitru amavasya guide for the specific closing prayers required on this day.

 

 

 

What to Donate and Benefits

In the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha is observed during the Krishna Paksha, or dark fortnight, following the full moon. It is a sacred spiritual practice in which devotees offering prayers, express gratitude, and pay homage to their departed ancestors as a way of honouring the debt to the ancestors. During this period, offerings of food and water are made according to specific lunar days and traditional customs. According to Hindu tradition, these offerings support the departed souls in Pitru Loka and are also believed to help address concerns associated with Pitru Dosha.

• Black Sesame Seeds: These are the most essential items for tarpan as they are liked by Lord Vishnu and Yama. Black sesame seeds are traditionally offered with water while facing the South direction, which is associated with the ancestors.

• Kusha Grass: This sacred grass acts as a purifier and is worn as a ring on the finger during the ritual. It is an important element of traditional pind daan and tarpan practices.

• Cow Ghee: Donating ghee to a priest or a temple helps in the spiritual progress of the departed soul.

• White Flowers: Offering white flowers like jasmine symbolizes purity and brings peace to the restless spirits.

• Grains and Jaggery: Providing food to the hungry on these sixteen days ensures that your own kitchen remains full and reinforces the practice of serving others through food offerings.

• New Clothes: Donating a set of dhoti or cotton clothes to a deserving person satisfies the physical needs of the pitrus and forms part of the wider tradition of giving during the fortnight of the ancestors.

What if you do not know the exact tithi of a departed family member?

Many devotees feel deep anxiety when they cannot remember the exact lunar date on which a parent or grandparent passed away. If you find yourself in this situation, do not let guilt stop your practice. The Hindu tradition provides a gracious solution through the observation of Sarva Pitru Amavasya, also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya. This final day of the fortnight is observed on the new moon and is specifically designed to cover all forgotten dates and unknown timings.

In the context of the Pitru Paksha 2026 dates, any offering made on 10 October 2026 will reach your ancestors, regardless of their original departure tithi. You should perform the full tarpan and pinda dana (pind daan) on this day with the intention that it serves all members of your lineage. This includes ancestors from both the father's and mother's side.

Pitru Paksha is observed during the lunar month of Bhadrapada as the transition from the bright fortnight to the dark fortnight forms part of the traditional lunar reckoning. The observance is rooted in the broader Hindu understanding of honouring ancestors through rituals, prayers, food offerings, and water.

Traditional scriptures such as the Garuda Purana, also referred to as Garuda Puran, discuss various concepts connected with death, the departed, and the journey of the soul. Within traditional Hindu belief, sincere offerings and remembrance are therefore seen as a way to pay homage to one's lineage and departed loved ones.

If a family member died in an accident or under unusual circumstances, their shraddh is also performed on the Chaturdashi tithi or the final Amavasya.

It is wise to consult a qualified priest if you are performing these rites for the first time or if there is a complex family situation. If you have health concerns that prevent you from fasting or standing for long periods, please consult a doctor before beginning the sixteen-day discipline.

Common Mistakes

• Performing the shraddh rituals during the evening or night hours is strictly forbidden as ancestors only accept offerings during the day.

• Using iron or plastic vessels for tarpan is a mistake; always use copper, silver, or brass containers for the water.

• Facing the East or North while offering water is incorrect; the performer must always face the South direction, the realm of Yama. Facing south is traditionally associated with the direction of the ancestors and Lord Yama.

• Consuming non-vegetarian food, onion, or garlic during these sixteen days disturbs the sattvic environment required for the pitrus.

• Forgetting to feed a crow, a cow, and a dog before the family eats the shraddh meal is a major oversight. These traditional food and water offerings are an important part of the observance for many families.

FAQ

When is the best time to perform tarpan in 2026?

The best time to perform tarpan in 2026 is during the Kutup Muhurat and Rohina Muhurat, which generally fall between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. These hours are considered the most auspicious for ancestors to receive offerings of water and sesame. Devotees use this period for offering prayers, remembrance, and tarpan as part of their spiritual practice.

Can women perform Pitru Paksha rituals?

Women can perform Pitru Paksha rituals if there is no male member in the family to carry out the duties. In many traditions, daughters and wives offer tarpan to ensure their loved ones receive the necessary spiritual sustenance during the fortnight. The purpose remains to express gratitude, pay homage, and remember the departed souls.

Which direction should I face while doing shraddh?

You should face the South direction while doing shraddh rituals because this direction is ruled by Lord Yama and is traditionally associated with the abode of the ancestors. Facing any other direction may result in the offerings not reaching the intended departed souls.

What is the importance of Sarva Pitru Amavasya?

The importance of Sarva Pitru Amavasya lies in its role as a universal day for all ancestors. It is the new moon observance that allows devotees to offer prayers for those whose death dates are unknown or for those whose shraddh was missed during the previous fifteen days. It is also a significant day for completing pind daan, tarpan, and other ancestral rites.

Why is Pitru Paksha kab hai a common question every year?

The question Pitru Paksha kab hai is common because the dates change annually based on the Hindu calendar and the lunar cycle. In 2026, the period begins on 26 September and ends on 10 October, following the Bhadrapada Purnima and Ashwina Amavasya. These lunar days determine when families observe the rituals and when Sarvapitri Amavasya is performed.

For many devotees, Pitru Paksha is more than a set of rituals. It is a time to express gratitude, pay homage to departed family members, remember one's lineage, and fulfil the traditional debt to the ancestors through prayers, offerings, and acts of charity.

Conclusion

Observing the sixteen days of shraddh is the highest form of respect a devotee can show to their lineage. By following the 2026 calendar and performing tarpan during the Kutup muhurat, you ensure peace for your ancestors and prosperity for your children. Remember that Sarva Pitru Amavasya is always there to catch any missed offerings or unknown dates. Ensure you have your kusha grass and sesame seeds ready before 26 September. You may also read about the sarva pitru amavasya guide to prepare for the final day. May your ancestors be satisfied with your Pitru Paksha 2026 offerings.

 

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