Pitru Paksha 2025: What Should You Know About Ancestor Worship?
In Hinduism, Shradh or Pitru Paksha holds special significance. The time of Pitru Paksha is dedicated to ancestors. Moreover, it is believed that the religious rituals performed during this period can please your ancestors and earn their blessings.
According to the Hindu calendar, Pitru Paksha falls every year during the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the Ashwin month. It starts on the full moon day of Bhadrapad and ends on the new moon day (Amavasya or Sarv Pitru Amavasya) of Ashwin. During this time, people perform rituals like Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan for their ancestors.
In addition, Pitru Paksha is considered a time to show gratitude to our ancestors and offer them peace. Astrologers believe that people who please their ancestors during this period will experience happiness, prosperity, and peace in their own lives.
So, let’s find out when shradh starts and ends in 2025, along with the specific shradh dates.
Shradh Dates 2025
Shradh or Pitru Paksh will start on 07 September 2025 and end on 21 September 2025. During this time, Shradh is observed on each day, with every day being dedicated to the ancestors whose death anniversary falls on that particular day. This is done regardless of whether the death anniversary falls during the waxing (Shukla Paksha) or waning (Krishna Paksha) phase of the moon. That said, below is the list of Shradh dates for 2025.
Here’s the complete list of Shradh days: Day of Shradh Date
| Day of Shradh | Date | Day of the Week |
|---|---|---|
| Purnima Shradh (Chandra Grahan) | 7 September 2025 | Sunday |
| Pitru Paksha Begins / Pratipada Shradh | 8 September 2025 | Monday |
| Dwitiya Shradh | 9 September 2025 | Tuesday |
| Tritiya Shradh | 10 September 2025 | Wednesday |
| Chaturthi Shradh | 10 September 2025 | Wednesday |
| Panchami Shradh / Maha Bharani | 11 September 2025 | Thursday |
| Shashthi Shradh | 12 September 2025 | Friday |
| Saptami Shradh | 13 September 2025 | Saturday |
| Ashtami Shradh | 14 September 2025 | Sunday |
| Navami Shradh | 15 September 2025 | Monday |
| Dashami Shradh | 16 September 2025 | Tuesday |
| Ekadashi Shradh | 17 September 2025 | Wednesday |
| Dwadashi Shradh | 18 September 2025 | Thursday |
| Trayodashi Shradh (Magha Shradh) | 19 September 2025 | Friday |
| Chaturdashi Shradh | 20 September 2025 | Saturday |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya | 21 September 2025 | Sunday |
What Is the Significance of Pitru Paksha?
Pitru Paksha is considered very sacred and important in Hinduism. The Shradh performed during pitru paksha brings peace to the souls of the ancestors and makes them happy. During this time, any good deeds are believed to bring blessings, happiness, and prosperity into your life, while also providing an opportunity to express gratitude to your ancestors and receive their grace. In Hinduism, Shradh is seen as an important duty, and by performing it, descendants can satisfy the souls of their ancestors.
Also Read: Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2025: Significance, Rituals and Puja Vidhi
What Should Be Done During Pitru Paksha? (Pitru Paksha Shradh Rituals)
It is believed that the best time to perform Shradh is during the afternoon, also known as the Aparahna time. This period is considered the most auspicious for pleasing the ancestors. Below are the key rituals always performed during Shradh:
Pind Daan: A mixture of barley, sesame seeds, and rice is used to create pind, which is then offered to the ancestors, known as pind daan.
Tarpan: In this ritual, sesame seeds, rice, and kusa grass are added to water, which is then offered to the ancestors. Both Pind Daan and Tarpan help in receiving the blessings of the ancestors.
Dakshina Daan: It is considered very important to feed Brahmins and donate clothes and other essential items, known as dakshina daan.
Feeding the Poor: During Shradh, it is important to feed those in need. This act of kindness is believed to make your ancestors even happier and more pleased with you.
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Astrology Tips for Pitru Paksha 2025
Pitru Paksha also holds special significance for zodiac signs. Performing the rituals can enhance blessings from ancestors. Here are zodiac-wise tips:
| Zodiac | Blessings & Guidance | Ritual Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | Happiness, abundance | Feed crows |
| Taurus | Protection and peace | Feed cows |
| Gemini | Guidance in difficult times | Arrange Brahman Bhoj |
| Cancer | Resolution of unresolved issues | Donate in ancestors’ honor |
| Leo | Family blessings, potential newborn | Feed dogs |
| Virgo | Overcoming fears & insecurities | Organize Brahman Bhoj |
| Libra | Wisdom, efficient problem-solving | Feed dogs |
| Scorpio | Love life blessings | Donate clothes to elders/Brahmins |
| Sagittarius | Prosperity, abundance | Feed crows |
| Capricorn | Self-development support | Feed cows |
| Aquarius | Health & discipline | Donate food to elderly/Brahmins |
| Pisces | Pride & recognition of efforts | Donate clothes to elderly/Brahmins |
Things to Keep in Mind During Shradh
Pitru Paksha is a time to honor ancestors and seek their blessings. By following the traditional rites, such as Pind Daan and Tarpan, one can connect with their ancestors. Let’s explore the significance of these rituals during Shradh.
If you're planning to perform Shradh, it's essential to maintain purity and stay spiritually clean. During Shradh or Pitru Paksha, you should avoid cutting your hair and refrain from any negative behavior.
On Shradh day, you should consume only sattvic food (pure, light, and vegetarian food), and it’s important to steer clear of meat, alcohol, and tamasic foods (heavy, stale, processed foods, and root veggies).
While performing the rituals, remember the names of your ancestors and conduct the Tarpan and Pind Daan with due reverence and proper procedure.
Also Read: September 2025 Horoscope: A Turning Point for Every Zodiac
How to Resolve Pitru Dosh During Pitru Paksha?
If you have Pitru Dosh in your birth chart, it is especially important to perform Shradh and Tarpan during Pitru Paksha. Pitru Dosh occurs when proper respect or rituals for your ancestors are not observed. According to astrology, Pitru Dosh can cause various obstacles in life. Therefore, performing Shradh with the right rituals during Pitru Paksha (Pitru Paksha 2025) can help resolve this dosh and bring peace.
Some General Remedies for Pitru Paksha
With the blessings and grace of our ancestors, one can achieve success and find solutions to life's problems. Let's explore some special remedies for Pitru Paksha that can help bring positive changes.
Food Donation: Along with Pind Daan, donating food and clothes to the poor or needy during Pitru Paksha is considered highly auspicious. This act brings peace to the souls of ancestors and, with their blessings, brings positive transformations in life.
Serving Cows: Cows hold a special place in Hinduism. During Pitru Paksha, feeding a cow with green grass, hay (Chara), or jaggery is believed to attain the immense blessings of ancestors and help resolve life’s challenges.
Feeding Ants with Flour and Jaggery: Feeding ants with flour and jaggery is considered a sacred ritual. These simple and small acts are powerful ways to please the ancestors and bring their blessings.
Conclusion
Pitru Paksha is all about gaining the blessings of ancestors by performing meaningful rituals. By performing Shradh, Tarpan, and other acts of charity, one can attain prosperity and peace in one's life. It is also believed that dedicating this time to our ancestors also strengthens the spiritual connection, ensuring their blessings and their guidance through life's challenges.
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