Pitru Paksha, also known as Shraddha Paksha, is a 16-day period in the lunar calendar dedicated to honoring ancestors. In 2025, it will be observed from 7th September to 21st September (IST). During this time, families perform tarpan, pind daan, and shraddha rituals to express gratitude and seek blessings from their forefathers.

According to Vedic astrology, these days are considered highly auspicious for paying respects to ancestors, but equally inauspicious for starting new ventures. Let us understand why.

The Spiritual Meaning of Pitru Paksha

In Hindu tradition, ancestors (Pitru) hold a sacred place. It is believed that during Pitru Paksha, the souls of ancestors descend to Earth to bestow their blessings upon their descendants. The rituals performed with devotion help:

  • Liberate ancestral souls (pitra dosha nivaran).

  • Bring peace, prosperity, and stability to the family.

  • Remove obstacles caused by unsettled karmas of forefathers.

A verse from the Garuda Purana highlights the importance of shraddha:

“यत् करिष्यति श्रद्धां तु पितृलोकम् अवाप्नुयात्“
 (Whatever shraddha is performed here, reaches the ancestors in their realm.)

Why New Beginnings Are Avoided in Pitru Paksha

Astrologically, Pitru Paksha is considered a time of remembrance and spiritual duty, not celebration. Here’s why:

  • Sun’s Position: The Sun (soul and vitality) moves towards its southern course (Dakshinayan), symbolizing a period of spiritual reflection rather than material growth.

  • Ancestor Energy: The period is devoted to the departed. Starting new work invites distraction and does not align with the energy of renewal.

  • Shastra Guidance: Scriptures advise avoiding weddings, housewarming, or business launches during these 16 days. Such activities are postponed until Navratri, which follows Pitru Paksha.

Common Misconceptions

  • Not Inauspicious for Life: Pitru Paksha is not a “negative” time, it is sacred, but its focus is on honoring the past, not creating the new.

  • Everyday Activities Continue: Regular work, exams, or professional duties can be done. Only new ventures or celebrations are avoided.

  • Blessings Are Strongest Now: Ancestors are most responsive during this period, so prayers and offerings carry extra power.

Rituals and Remedies to Perform in Pitru Paksha

To gain blessings and reduce pitru dosha, families can perform the following:

1. Tarpan (Water Offering)

  • In the morning hours (around 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM IST), offer water mixed with sesame seeds, barley, and kusha grass.

2. Pind Daan (Food Offering)

  • Prepare rice balls with ghee and offer them with devotion.

  • Feed cows, dogs, crows, and Brahmins to symbolically reach the ancestors.

3. Charity and Service

  • Donate food, clothes, and essentials to the needy in memory of ancestors.

  • Especially on Amavasya (the final day), donations bring strong blessings.

4. Mantras and Prayers

  • Chant the mantra:
     “ॐ पित्र देवाय नमः”

  • Recite Bhagavad Gita Chapter 15 (Purushottam Yoga), which talks about the eternal soul.

Astrological Remedies During Pitru Paksha

  • Light a sesame oil diya daily for ancestors.

  • Offer white flowers and milk to Shivling for peace of departed souls.

  • If experiencing pitru dosha in horoscope (e.g., delays in marriage, financial struggles), consult an astrologer and perform special shraddha puja at Gaya, Prayagraj, or Haridwar.

What You Should Avoid in Pitru Paksha

  • Weddings, engagements, housewarming, and new business launches.

  • Buying a new vehicle or property.

  • Celebrating birthdays or organizing grand parties.

  • Cutting sacred trees like Peepal or Banyan, which are believed to connect with pitru energies.

Final Thoughts

Pitru Paksha is not about fear, it is about gratitude and connection. Our ancestors are the roots, and their blessings form the foundation of our lives. While these 16 days are not meant for new beginnings, they are incredibly powerful for resolving past karmas and receiving protection from the unseen world.

By performing rituals with faith and humility, families not only honor their lineage but also ensure peace, prosperity, and harmony for generations ahead.

So this Pitru Paksha, take time to remember your forefathers, perform simple remedies, and prepare for fresh beginnings with the blessings of your ancestors once Navratri begins.

Q: Why is Pitru Paksha considered inauspicious for new beginnings like marriage or business?

A: Pitru Paksha is a period dedicated to remembering and honoring ancestors. The planetary energies during these 16 days are focused on spiritual reflection, gratitude, and karmic settlement. Starting new ventures or celebrations at this time may not align with these energies. That is why scriptures recommend postponing marriages, housewarmings, or business launches until after Pitru Paksha, usually beginning with Navratri, when auspicious energies return.