Shradh puja date and time 2017

Every year, a duration of 15-16 days marks the inhabitation of our ancestors in the earth. This day is known as Pitru Paksha when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings. This is the time when ancestors come for a certain period of time to reside at their earlier places and give blessings to us if satisfied.

Pitru Paksha timing

According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar, it falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada beginning with the full moon day or day after full moon day.

According to North Indian Purnimant calendar, this period falls in the lunar month of Ashwin beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or next day of full moon day.

Purnima Shradh – September 5 (Tuesday)
Pratipada Shradh – September 6 (Wednesday)
Dwitiya Shradh – September 7 (Thursday)
Tritiya Shradh/Chaturthi Shradh – September 8 (Friday)
Panchami Shradh – September 9 (Saturday)
Shashthi Shradh – September 10 (Sunday)
Saptami Shradh – September 11 (Monday)
Ashtami Shradh – September 12 (Tuesday)
Navami Shradh – September 13 (Wednesday)
Dashami Shradh – September 14 (Thursday)
Ekadashi Shradh – September 15 (Friday)
Dwadashi Shradh – September 16 (Saturday)
Trayodashi Shradh – September 17 (Sunday)
Chaturdashi Shradh – September 18 (Monday)
Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh – September 19 (Tuesday)

Mahalaya Amavasya – Is the most important day of Shradh. You can perform Shradh anytime in the day. It is more famously known as Sarva Pitru Shraddh. This year the Mahalaya Amavasya will fall on September 19; time to perform Shradh will be between 1:13 PM to 3:35 PM.

These details are according to Astrosage and Hindupad.

Why Do We Need To Celebrate Pitru Paksha

The famous epic Mahabharata has very elaborately stated the importance of Pitra Paksha. The great warrior – Karna was one of the greatest legends and when he reached heaven after his death, he was offered food in the form of Gold, Silver, and Jewels. Shocked by this Karna asked Indra on why this was being done to him. In response, Indra told that throughout his life he had donated all such materialistic possessions in the name of his ancestors and had never offered food to anybody. (This tells us that after death we get what we provide to our ancestors.)

Luckily enough Karna had no idea on who his ancestors were as his identity was mysterious. Considering this to be in favor of Karna, Indra asked him to go back to earth, where he donated food and made Tarpan during the sixteen days.

Top places to celebrate Pitru Paksha

As per the Hindu mythology, there are some important places in India for performing the rituals of Shraadh for the departed souls to stay in peace and be happy. TO KNOW MORE......