Pitru Paksha 2025 : Unlocking Peace for Your Ancestors ,A Simple Guide to the Chaturthi Shraddha:

The period of Pitru Paksha is a significant time in the Hindu calendar, dedicated to remembering and honoring our ancestors. It's a time for expressing gratitude to those who came before us. Within this fortnight, each day is designated for specific ancestors based on the lunar day (tithi) they passed away.

On the fourth day of Pitru Paksha, known as Chaturthi Shraddha, rituals are performed for family members who passed away on the Chaturthi tithi of any month. In 2025, Chaturthi Shraddha falls on Wednesday, September 10th.

To ensure the rituals are performed correctly and are fruitful, it's considered important to follow the auspicious timings of the day. For the Chaturthi Shraddha, the most favorable times, or muhurats, are during the afternoon.

The specific timings for the rites on September 10, 2025, are:

Kutup Muhurat: 11:53 AM to 12:43 PM
Rohina Muhurat: 12:43 PM to 01:33 PM
Aparahna Kaal (Afternoon): 01:33 PM to 04:02 PM

The Shraddha ceremony is a heartfelt process. On this day, the person performing the rites, usually the eldest son or a male relative, takes a purifying bath and wears clean, simple clothes. The ritual involves preparing sattvic food—simple, pure vegetarian meals made without onion or garlic—which would have been favorites of the ancestor.

A key part of the ceremony is "Tarpan," the offering of water mixed with black sesame seeds, and "Pind-daan," offering rice balls (pindas). These offerings are made with reverence, symbolizing nourishment for the souls of the ancestors on their journey.

After the rituals, the prepared food is traditionally offered first to a Brahmin (priest), and portions are also given to a cow, a dog, and a crow. These animals are considered symbolic messengers, and feeding them is believed to ensure the offerings reach the ancestors. The family then partakes in the meal as 'prasad'.

By performing these rituals with a sincere heart, it is believed that the souls of the ancestors find peace and contentment, and in return, they bestow blessings of health, happiness, and prosperity upon their family.