Pitru Paksha Begins
Also known as: Shraddha Paksha, Mahalaya Paksha, Kanagat
Dates follow the Indian calendar (IST). If you’re outside India, your local temple may observe a day earlier or later for tithi-based festivals.
Pitru Paksha is a fortnight devoted to remembering and honouring our ancestors. Families offer food and water (tarpan) in their loved ones' memory, feed the needy, and avoid starting new ventures, keeping these days quiet and reflective. It runs until Sarva Pitru Amavasya on 10 October 2026.
For your location
Pitru Paksha at a glance
The fortnight of ancestor remembrance, from its first day to Sarva Pitru Amavasya — many families avoid scheduling celebrations in this window.
| Date | Weekday | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | Pitru Paksha BeginsYou are here | |
| Saturday | Sarva Pitru Amavasya |
Timing Advisory
This festival follows sunrise timings. Local observance may differ by region and timezone. Please check with your local temple or trusted Panchang for exact muhurat.
📋 How to Observe
- 1
Offer tarpan (water with sesame) in memory of departed family members
- 2
Feed brahmins, the poor, or even crows and cows in their name
- 3
Avoid beginning new ventures during the fortnight
- 4
Share stories of your elders so their memory lives on
Pandit ji's Message
Dear devotee, Pitru Paksha Begins is a time for spiritual reflection and community celebration. Whether you're observing traditional rituals or adapting them to your modern life, remember that the sincerity of your devotion matters more than elaborate ceremonies. May this festival bring divine blessings to you and your family.
🙏 - Pandit Bala Krishan
Curious how Pitru Paksha Begins's timing interacts with your own birth chart? Get a personal Vedic birth chart and AI reading at our sister site GuruJi.ai →