In Vedic tradition, Pitru Paksha is considered one of the most sacred periods of the year. Falling in the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) of the Bhadrapada month (usually September, October in the Gregorian calendar), these 15 days are dedicated to honoring one’s ancestors. In 2025, Pitru Paksha begins on 7th September and ends on 21st September (IST).

This period is not only about rituals but also about receiving the unseen blessings of forefathers, which directly influence prosperity, health, harmony, and spiritual growth. Let us understand why Pitru Paksha is so powerful and how you can align with its energy.

The Spiritual Significance of Pitru Paksha

According to Garuda Purana and Mahabharata, the souls of ancestors (Pitru Devtas) visit the Earth during Pitru Paksha to bless their descendants. If honored properly through rituals and offerings, they ensure peace, progress, and protection for the family.

The Srimad Bhagavad Gita says:
 “पितॄन् देवान् ऋषींश्चैव सिद्धींश्चैव नमो नमः”
 (Offering salutations to ancestors, gods, sages, and divine beings ensures balance in life.)

Without ancestral blessings, even the strongest planetary positions may not yield their full result. This is why astrologers emphasize that Shraddha during Pitru Paksha is essential for karmic cleansing.

Astrological Importance of Pitru Paksha

  • Karmic Balance: Pitru Dosha (ancestral karmic debt) often shows up in a birth chart through afflictions of the Sun, Moon, or Rahu–Ketu axis. Pitru Paksha is the best time to pacify these influences. 
  • Planetary Harmony: Performing Shraddha and Tarpan helps reduce malefic effects of Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu, which are deeply connected to ancestral karma. 
  • Spiritual Merit: Just as eclipses and Amavasya are considered powerful, Pitru Paksha creates an energetic channel between the earthly and ancestral realms. 

Why This Time Is Considered So Powerful

  1. Gateway Between Worlds – Scriptures say that during these 15 days, ancestors descend closer to Earth. 
  2. Amavasya of Pitru Paksha – The final day, Sarvapitri Amavasya, is especially potent, as it is believed that all ancestors (known and unknown) receive offerings. 
  3. Collective Energy – Millions of families across Bharat perform rituals simultaneously, creating a powerful spiritual field. 
  4. Seasonal Energy Shift – As monsoon transitions to autumn, nature supports cleansing, balance, and renewal. 

Rituals and Practices During Pitru Paksha

Here are the essential ways to honor your ancestors during this sacred period:

1. Shraddha and Tarpan

  • Offer water mixed with sesame seeds, barley, and kusa grass while chanting mantras. 
  • Perform Shraddha at home, or at sacred places like Gaya, Prayagraj, Haridwar, or Kashi. 

2. Food Offerings (Pinda Daan)

  • Cook simple sattvic food like kheer, rice, dal, and seasonal vegetables. 
  • Offer it first to the ancestors, then to cows, crows, and the needy before family members eat. 

3. Charity and Service

  • Donate food, clothes, and essentials to Brahmins and the poor. 
  • Feeding cows, dogs, and birds during this time is highly auspicious. 

4. Daily Remembrance

  • Light a diya in the south direction (associated with ancestors) each evening. 
  • Chant “ॐ पितृभ्यो नमः” (Om Pitribhyo Namah) to connect spiritually. 

Practical Remedies for Pitru Dosha

If your horoscope shows Pitru Dosha, Pitru Paksha is the best time for remedies:

  • Recite the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or Shri Vishnu Sahasranama. 
  • Offer Arghya to the Sun daily at sunrise with the mantra “ॐ सूर्याय नमः”. 
  • Feed the Needy – especially on Amavasya, to balance karmic debts. 
  • Ritual at Gaya (Bihar) – Consider performing Pinda Daan at Gaya, which is believed to grant liberation to ancestors. 

Modern Ways to Honor Ancestors

Even if one cannot perform traditional rituals, intention matters. You can:

  • Keep a photo of ancestors, light incense, and pray with gratitude. 
  • Donate in their name to schools, temples, or charities. 
  • Observe simple fasting or avoid non-vegetarian food during these days. 

The Blessings of Pitru Paksha

When rituals are performed with devotion, the following blessings are believed to flow:

  • Removal of obstacles in career, marriage, and finances. 
  • Healing of family disputes and generational issues. 
  • Protection from sudden misfortunes and accidents. 
  • Inner peace and spiritual strength. 

Conclusion

Pitru Paksha is not about mourning but about remembering with love. It is a time to express gratitude to those who gave us life, culture, and values. Even the simplest offerings made during this period (7th–21st September 2025, IST) can draw abundant ancestral blessings into your home.

As the saying goes:
 “पितॄन् तुष्ट्वा जगत् तुष्टम्” –

When ancestors are pleased, the whole universe supports you.

Q. What if I cannot perform Shraddha at Gaya or sacred places?

A. If you cannot travel, you can still perform simple rituals at home, like offering water with sesame seeds, lighting a diya in the south direction, and feeding crows or the needy. Intention and devotion matter more than location.