Pitra Paksha, also known as Mahalay, is a period of fifteen days. It is the time designated to give devotion or to offer respect to the dead and departed ancestors of the family. These; Fifteen days are called " Pitra Paksha", or most popularly known as "Shraddha (श्राद्ध) or Shradh" days. They are also called by the name of "Kanagat." The dark half of Ashwina (September-October) is observed as Pitra Paksha throughout the Hindu world.
Mahalaya Amavasya is the most important day of Shraddh. On this day Shraddh can be performed without looking date, tithi, nakshatra etc. It is known as Sarva Pitru Shraddh.
Pitra Paksha - Shraddha Calendar 2015
Date |
Festival |
श्राद्ध |
September 28 | Poornima & Pratipada Shraddha | पूर्णिमा व प्रतिपदा श्राद्ध |
September 29 | Dwitiya Shraddha | द्वितीया श्राद्ध |
September 30 | Tritiya Shraddha | तृतीया श्राद्ध |
October 01 | Chaturthi Shraddha | चतुर्थी श्राद्ध |
October 02 | Panchami Shraddha | पंचमी श्राद्ध |
October 03 | Shashthi Shraddha | षष्ठी श्राद्ध |
October 04 | Saptami Shraddha | सप्तमी श्राद्ध |
October 05 | Ashtami Shraddha | अष्टमी श्राद्ध |
October 06 | Navami Shraddha | नवमी श्राद्ध |
October 07 | Dashami Shraddha | दशमी श्राद्ध |
October 08 | Ekadashi Shraddha | एकादशी श्राद्ध |
October 09 | Dwadashi Shraddha | द्वादशी श्राद्ध |
October 10 | Trayodashi Shraddha | त्रयोदशी श्राद्ध |
October 11 | Chaturdashi Shraddha | चतुर्दशी श्राद्ध |
October 12 | Sarva Pitru Amavasya | सर्वपित्रू अमावस्या |
Types of Shraddha :
There are 12 types of Shraddha in the Hindu religion.
- Nitya Shraddha
- Neimitik Shraddha
- Kaamya Shraddha
- Vriddhi Shraddha
- Sapindan Shraddha
- Paarvann Shraddha
- Goshtth Shraddha
- Shurdhyarth Shraddha
- Karmaang Shraddha
- Deivik Shraddha
- Oupcharik Shraddha
- Saanvatsarik Shraddha