Shradh Paksha 2025: Date, Time of Eclipse and Importance of Donation

Shraddha Paksha has special importance in the traditions of Sanatan Dharma. This Pitru Paksha is the time to remember and satisfy our ancestors, whose sacrifice, penance and rituals have given us this life.

They may have left this mortal body and gone to the subtle world, but their memory, their rituals and their debt remain with us throughout our lives. It, also called Pitru Paksha or Mahalaya, is a divine opportunity to repay that debt with devotion and dedication.

Performing Shraddha of ancestors started from the Vedic period. It has been mentioned in many texts of Sanatan Dharma, among which Brahma, Vishnu, Vayu, Varaha and Matsya Purana are prominent. Mentioning in Brahma Purana, it has been said, “Whatever is given to Brahmins with devotion by targeting ancestors in the proper way according to the appropriate time, person and place, is called Shraddha.”

This post explores the types of Shraddha, who should perform it, where it should be conducted, the significance of holy places like Gaya, and essential guidelines for rituals, food, and activities to avoid during this sacred period.

In the year 2025, Shradh Paksha starts on 7 September 2025, and it will end on 21 September 2025 with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. During this period, all Sanatan Dharma followers can perform for their ancestors according to the date. Those who do not know the date of Devlok of their ancestors can perform for their ancestors on the auspicious occasion of Sarva Pitru Amavasya.

This is Why Shradh is Performed

In the scriptures and texts, Vasu, Rudra and Aditya have been described as the gods of Shradh. In this Paksha, the three ancestors of every person—father, grandfather and great-grandfather—are considered to be Vasu, Rudra and Aditya, respectively. When it is performed, then they are considered to be the representatives of all the ancestors. Whatever mantras are chanted or offerings are given, they take it to all other ancestors.

It is believed that our forefathers enter the body of the person performing tarpan and get satisfied with the rituals performed as per the customs and rituals and bless the family with happiness, prosperity and better health.

The deceased person who has been free from this world for more than a year is called ‘Pitra.’ Shradh is a means of providing food to the ancestors. It is believed that after getting food, ancestors come near us through various means and are satisfied.

There is clearly mention about the ancestors in the second verse of the 15th Sukta of the 10th Mandal of the Rigveda.

Idam pitribhyo namo astvadya ye purvaso ya uparas iyuh.

Ye Parthive Rajasya Nishatta Ye Va Nunam Suvrijnasu Vikshu ॥

That is, the first and the last departed Pitra and the Pitra living in the space are revered. This shloka expresses respect for all the Pitras, those who already existed, those who are residing now, and those who will come in the future.

Types of Shraddha

Shraddha rituals vary based on the occasion, purpose, and timing. The main types include:

1. Nitya Shraddha: Performed daily as a simple offering of water (tarpan) to ancestors, often during morning prayers.
2. Naimittik Shraddha: Conducted on specific occasions, such as the tithi of an ancestor’s passing during Pitru Paksha or at pilgrimage sites.
3. Kamya Shraddha: Performed with a specific desire, such as seeking blessings for progeny, health, or prosperity.
4. Vriddhi Shraddha: Conducted during auspicious events like childbirth or marriage to honor ancestors and seek their blessings.
5. Sapindikaran Shraddha: A one-time ritual performed within a year of a person’s death to unite their soul with ancestral spirits.
6. Parvana Shraddha: The most common type, performed during Pitru Paksha on the tithi of an ancestor’s passing, involving elaborate rituals and offerings.
7. Gosht Shraddha: Conducted for a group of ancestors, typically on Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
8. Shuddhi Shraddha: Performed for purification or to rectify errors in previous Shraddha rituals.
9. Karma Shraddha: Linked to specific Vedic rituals or yagnas, involving offerings to ancestors alongside deities.
10. Yatra Shraddha: Performed during pilgrimages to holy places like Gaya for enhanced spiritual merit.
11. Ekoddishta Shraddha: Aimed at a single ancestor, typically within the first year of their passing.
12. Adya Shraddha: The first Shraddha performed after a person’s death, usually on the 11th or 13th day.

Each type serves a unique purpose, ensuring ancestors are honored appropriately based on the context and spiritual needs.

Who Should Perform Shraddha?

Shraddha is primarily performed by the eldest son or male descendant of the deceased, as they are considered the primary bearers of Pitra Rin. However, the scriptures allow flexibility based on circumstances:

• Sons and Grandsons: The eldest son typically performs Shraddha for parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. If the eldest son is unavailable, younger sons or grandsons can perform it.
• Daughters or Other Relatives: In the absence of a son, a daughter, son-in-law, or other close relatives (e.g., nephews) may perform the rituals, especially for Sapindikaran or Ekoddishta Shraddha.
• Widows or Women: If no male descendant is available, a widow or female family member can perform Shraddha, particularly for their husband or parents, with guidance from a priest.
• Adopted Heirs or Disciples: In cases where no direct descendants exist, an adopted heir or spiritual disciple may perform the rituals.
• Community or Proxy: If no family member is available, a Brahmin or priest can perform Shraddha on behalf of the family, especially during Sarva Pitru Amavasya.

The performer must approach the ritual with devotion, purity, and adherence to scriptural guidelines to ensure the offerings reach the ancestors.

Where Should Shraddha Be Performed?

Shraddha can be performed at various locations, each carrying spiritual significance:

1. Home: Most families perform Shraddha at home, setting up a sacred space with a clean altar, facing south (the direction associated with ancestors). This is ideal for daily tarpan or tithi-specific rituals.
2. Holy Rivers or Tirthas: Sacred rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, or Godavari are preferred for tarpan and pind daan due to their purifying properties. Sites like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj are considered highly auspicious.
3. Temples or Ashrams: Shraddha can be performed at temples or ashrams with priestly guidance, especially for those without access to holy rivers.
4. Pilgrimage Sites: Places like Gaya, Badrinath, or Jagannath Puri are renowned for Shraddha due to their spiritual potency.
5. Cremation Grounds: In some traditions, Shraddha is performed at the site of cremation for immediate post-death rituals like Sapindikaran.

The location should be clean, serene, and conducive to spiritual focus, ensuring the rituals are performed with reverence.

Why Is Shraddha at Gaya Considered So Significant?

Gaya, in Bihar, is one of the most sacred sites for performing Shraddha, particularly for pind daan, due to its spiritual and mythological significance:

• Mythological Importance: According to the Vishnu Purana and Ramayana, Lord Rama and Sita performed pind daan for King Dasharatha in Gaya. The Vishnupad Temple, believed to house Lord Vishnu’s footprints, is a focal point for these rituals.
• Spiritual Potency: Gaya is associated with the Phalgu River and the Akshayavat tree, both considered eternal and sacred. Offerings made here are believed to grant mukti (liberation) to ancestors, ensuring their ascent to Pitriloka.
• Vasu, Rudra, and Aditya: In Gaya, Shraddha rituals invoke these deities, representing the three generations of ancestors, amplifying the ritual’s efficacy.
• Universal Reach: Shraddha at Gaya is believed to benefit all ancestors, even those whose tithis are unknown, making it ideal for Sarva Pitru rituals.
• Historical Continuity: Gaya has been a pilgrimage site for centuries, with records of kings, sages, and devotees performing Shraddha here, adding to its sanctity.

Performing Shraddha at Gaya is said to absolve Pitra Dosha (ancestral faults) and bring blessings for multiple generations, making it a preferred destination during Pitru Paksha.

Why Is Shraddha Performed at Holy Places, and Where?

Shraddha at holy places is considered more fruitful due to their spiritual vibrations and divine connections. These locations amplify the efficacy of offerings, ensuring they reach the ancestors and bring peace to their souls. Key reasons include:

• Divine Presence: Holy sites are believed to be imbued with divine energy, facilitating direct communication between the living and ancestral souls.
• Purification: Rivers, mountains, and temples at these sites purify the performer and the offerings, enhancing the ritual’s impact.
• Scriptural Endorsement: Texts like the Garuda Purana emphasize performing Shraddha at tirthas (pilgrimage sites) for greater merit.
• Ancestral Satisfaction: Offerings at holy places are believed to provide eternal satisfaction to ancestors, granting them liberation.

Key Holy Places for Shraddha:

• Gaya, Bihar: For pind daan and liberation of ancestors (as discussed above).
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: The Ganga River and Kashi Vishwanath Temple make it ideal for tarpan and pind daan.
• Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: The Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) is highly auspicious for Shraddha.
• Haridwar, Uttarakhand: The Ganga’s banks are ideal for tarpan and rituals.
• Jagannath Puri, Odisha: Associated with Lord Vishnu, it’s a significant site for ancestral rituals.
• Badrinath, Uttarakhand: A Himalayan tirtha for performing Shraddha with divine blessings.

These sites are chosen for their spiritual energy and historical significance, making Shraddha rituals more impactful.

Do’s and Don’ts for Food and Rituals During Shraddha

To ensure Shraddha rituals are effective, specific guidelines must be followed:

Do’s:

• Sattvik Food: Prepare pure, vegetarian food like rice, dal, vegetables, and kheer. Offerings should be simple and free from onion, garlic, or spices.
• Feed Crows, Cows, and Dogs: Crows are believed to be messengers of ancestors. Offer food to them, cows, and dogs before Brahmins consume it.
• Use Sacred Items: Include sesame seeds (til), kusha grass, rice, barley, water, and flowers in tarpan and pind daan.
• Purity and Restraint: Maintain personal hygiene, wear clean clothes, and observe celibacy and truthfulness during rituals.
• Brahmin Feeding: Invite Brahmins to partake in the meal prepared for ancestors, offering them food, clothes, and dakshina.
• Tarpan Method: Perform tarpan facing south, using water mixed with sesame and kusha, invoking ancestors’ names.
• Donations: Offer food grains, sesame, clothes, or gold to Brahmins and the needy for ancestral satisfaction.

Don’ts:

• Avoid Non-Vegetarian Food: Refrain from consuming or offering meat, fish, or eggs during Pitru Paksha.
• No Intoxicants: Avoid alcohol, tobacco, or any intoxicants, as they taint the ritual’s purity.
• Avoid Lies or Unholy Acts: Dishonesty or unethical behavior nullifies the ritual’s spiritual merit.
• No Iron Utensils: Use brass, copper, or clay vessels for offerings instead of iron or steel.
• Avoid Cutting Hair or Nails: These activities are considered inauspicious during Pitru Paksha.
• No New Purchases: Refrain from buying new clothes, jewelry, or starting new ventures, as the focus is on austerity.
• Avoid Wastefulness: Offer only what is necessary, avoiding extravagance or waste during rituals.

Adhering to these guidelines ensures the rituals are performed with devotion and respect, maximizing their spiritual benefits.

Importance of Pitra Rin

It is said in the scriptures that a man is born with three types of debts: Dev Rin, Rishi Rin and Pitra Rin. Dev Rin is freed by worshipping the gods and performing Yagna, etc.; Rishi Rin is freed by studying the Vedas and scriptures and respecting the elders, but freedom from Pitra Rin is possible only through Shraddha and Tarpan.

“Pitridevo Bhava” It is clearly stated in the Vedas that the ancestors should be considered as gods and should be served and remembered. It is only by the grace of ancestors that we get growth of lineage, happiness of children, longevity, health and prosperity.

Spiritual Importance

When we perform tarpan and donations in the name of ancestors, then the material of the offerings made by us reaches the gods and ancestors through divine means. Along with this ritual, there is direct communication between souls. Garuda Purana says, “Shraddha performed with devotion by a son or descendant provides happiness to ancestors in all three worlds, and they become happy and bless.”

The meaning of Shradh is “work done with devotion.” Rituals performed without devotion remain only a formality. Therefore, this Paksha is a means of internal purification, gratitude and spiritual progress for the seekers.

Legends Associated with Shraddha: Timeless Mahabharata Stories

The Mahabharata offers profound legends that underscore the sacred importance of Shraddha during Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period dedicated to honoring ancestors. One such tale is of Karna, the generous warrior and son of Kunti and Surya. Renowned for donating gold and wealth, Karna ascended to Swarga after his death, only to find his ancestors starving due to his failure to perform Shraddha rituals. Granted 15–16 days by Lord Indra, Karna returned to Earth, offering food, water, and sesame seeds to Brahmins and the needy, thus establishing Pitru Paksha. This legend highlights the necessity of Anna Daan (food donation) for ancestral peace.

Another compelling Mahabharata story is that of Bhishma Pitamaha, the Kuru grandsire, who, after the Kurukshetra war, lay wounded on a bed of arrows. Blessed with the boon to choose his death, Bhishma waited for Pitru Paksha to depart, believing this sacred time would ensure his soul’s smooth transition to Pitriloka and bless his descendants, the Pandavas. His devotion emphasizes the auspiciousness of performing Shraddha during this period for ancestral salvation and family prosperity.

Activities to Avoid on Manvadi Tithis

Manvadi Tithis are specific lunar days (1st, 6th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, and Amavasya) considered highly sacred during Pitru Paksha. Certain activities should be avoided to maintain the sanctity of these days:

• Auspicious Ceremonies: Avoid weddings, engagements, housewarming, or other celebratory events, as these days are meant for ancestral reverence.
• Non-Vegetarian Food and Intoxicants: Refrain from consuming meat, alcohol, or tobacco, as they disrupt spiritual purity.
• Cutting Hair or Shaving: These are considered inauspicious and should be postponed.
• Starting New Ventures: Avoid launching businesses, signing contracts, or making significant purchases.
• Arguments or Conflicts: Maintain peace and avoid disputes to honor the solemnity of the period.
• Wasteful Spending: Focus on austerity and charity rather than luxury or unnecessary expenses.

By observing these restrictions, one ensures the rituals remain focused on honoring ancestors.

Avadhi, Parampara aur Daan ka Mahatv

16 days from Bhadrapada Purnima to Ashwin Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya) are celebrated as Pitru Paksha. Every day, the ancestors who have left their bodies on some or other date are remembered. Puja is performed for them. On these days, feeding Brahmins and offering food, clothes, sesame, water and dakshina is considered auspicious.

Also, feeding crows on this day is also very important. Therefore, the sadhak should place the favorite food of the ancestors in the plate and invoke the crows. Also feed cows, cats and dogs.

Tarpan Method and Puja Material

Water, sesame and kusha have special importance in Shradh. At the time of Tarpan, sesame and kusha are put in water and facing the sun, and the ancestors are invoked in their names. This Tilanjali reaches the souls in the form of holy water and gives them satisfaction. On the day of Shraddha, it is necessary to follow pure conduct, sattvik food, truthful speech and restraint.

Ancestors can be satisfied only by staying away from animal violence, intoxication, lies and unholy acts. It is very important to have sesame, urad, rice, barley, water, Kash (Kusha) flowers and fruits in the puja.

Shadow of Eclipse on Pitru Paksha

This year’s Pitru Paksha is going to be very special from the astronomical point of view. After almost a hundred years, such a wonderful coincidence has happened, when both the beginning and the end of Pitru Paksha will be under the shadow of an eclipse.

Pitru Paksha will begin with the lunar eclipse on the night of 7 September. According to Indian time, this eclipse will start at 9:58 pm.

It will start and will last till 1:26 am. During this time the moon will appear with a red aura, which is called ‘Blood Moon‘ in astronomy. This eclipse will be directly visible in India.

Also, the Pitru Paksha will end with a solar eclipse. This time the solar eclipse is going to fall on 21st September; this eclipse will start at 10:59 pm and will last till 3:23 am. Since it will occur at night, it will not be visible in India. But it will have an effect from a religious point of view. It is mentioned in the scriptures that fasting and bhajan of God are especially fruitful during the time of eclipse.

According to the scriptures, one should take a bath and do tarpan and donation only after the end of the eclipse. The deeds done for the peace and salvation of ancestors in Pitru Paksha are considered to be many times more fruitful after the eclipse period. Scholars say that tarpan and donation done with devotion in this rare coincidence brings welfare to generations.

Self-Purification

It is not only an opportunity to satisfy the ancestors but also to purify the soul of the seeker. When we offer, the ego melts; when we donate, greed diminishes; when we keep restraint, the mind becomes pure. In this way, Pitru Paksha takes us in the direction of spiritual progress. The seeker who respects the Shraddha Paksha not only becomes the recipient of the blessings of the ancestors but also moves towards the supreme position himself.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):-

Q: What is Shradh?

A: It is a religious ritual performed to express respect for the peace of the souls of ancestors and to express reverence towards them.

Q: When is Shradh Paksha in 2025?

A: It will start on 7 September 2025 and will be celebrated till 21 September.

Q: To whom should donations be given in this?

A: Donation should be given to Brahmins and poor people on this day.

Q: What things should be donated on this auspicious occasion?

A: On this auspicious occasion, food grains, cows, sesame seeds, gold, fruits, etc. should be donated.

Q: When is the lunar eclipse in Shradh Paksha 2025?

A: The lunar eclipse will occur on 7th September in Shradh Paksha 2025.

Q: When is the solar eclipse in this Shradh Paksha 2025?

A: The solar eclipse will occur on 21st September in this Shradh Paksha 2025.