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Many people sitting on the Varanasi ghat at the bank of river Ganga and performing pind daan for their ancestors during pitrupaksh

Pitru Paksha 2026 Dates, Rituals and Pind Daan Guide

Pitru Paksha, also known as Pitra Paksh or Shraadh Paksh, is a sacred 16 day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to remembering and offering gratitude to our ancestors (Pitrs). During this period, families perform rituals like Tarpan, Shraddh, and Pind Daan to pray for the peace of departed souls and seek their blessings for prosperity and harmony in the family. 

According to Hindu belief, during Pitru Paksha the souls of ancestors visit the earth to receive offerings from their descendants. Therefore performing rituals with sincerity during this period is considered highly auspicious.

Pitru Paksha 2026 Start and End Date

In 2026, Pitru Paksha will begin on 26 September 2026 and end on 10 October 2026, which is observed as Sarva Pitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya).

These days are also called Shradh Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha.

Pitru Paksha 2026 Tithi Calendar

DateDayTithi / Shradh
26 Sept 2026SaturdayPurnima Shraddha
27 Sept 2026SundayPratipada Shraddha
28 Sept 2026MondayDwitiya Shraddha
29 Sept 2026TuesdayTritiya Shraddha
30 Sept 2026WednesdayChaturthi / Panchami Shraddha
1 Oct 2026ThursdayShashthi Shraddha
2 Oct 2026FridaySaptami Shraddha
3 Oct 2026SaturdayAshtami Shraddha
4 Oct 2026SundayNavami Shraddha
5 Oct 2026MondayDashami Shraddha
6 Oct 2026TuesdayEkadashi Shraddha
7 Oct 2026WednesdayDwadashi Shraddha
8 Oct 2026ThursdayTrayodashi Shraddha
9 Oct 2026FridayChaturdashi Shraddha
10 Oct 2026SaturdaySarva Pitri Amavasya

Shradh or Pind Daan is usually performed on the same tithi on which the ancestor passed away. If the exact tithi is unknown, rituals are generally performed on Sarva Pitri Amavasya.

Important Rituals During Pitru Paksha

During Pitru Paksha, several simple and traditional rituals are recommended to honor ancestors.

1. Daily Tarpan

Tarpan means offering water mixed with sesame seeds (til) to ancestors.

Every day during Pitru Paksha, after taking a bath in the morning, one can offer jal and til while remembering the names of ancestors.

2. Feeding Animals (Kagwal)

Another important practice is feeding animals, which is believed to satisfy ancestors.

Food should be offered to:

  • Crow

  • Dog

  • Cow

This offering is traditionally called Kagwal.

3. Feeding Brahmins and Donation

On the specific tithi of the ancestor’s death, families often perform Shraddh rituals which include:

  • Feeding Brahmins

  • Offering Anna Daan (food donation)

  • Donating Vastra (clothes)

These acts of charity are considered highly meritorious during Pitru Paksha.

4. Pind Daan / Shraddh

The most important ritual during Pitru Paksha is Pind Daan, where rice balls (pind) are offered to ancestors.

Pind Daan is generally performed:

  • On the specific death tithi of the ancestor

  • Or on Sarva Pitri Amavasya

This ritual is believed to bring peace to the departed soul and blessings to the family.

Important Places for Pind Daan During Pitru Paksha 2026

Although Shraddh can be performed at home, certain pilgrimage places are considered especially sacred for Pind Daan.

Some of the most important places include:

Thousands of devotees visit these holy cities during Pitru Paksha to perform rituals for their ancestors.

Important Note: If Death Occurred Within One Year

If someone in the family has passed away within the last one year, the regular Pitru Paksha rituals mentioned above are generally not performed.

Instead, families continue the monthly Shraddh rituals until the first annual Shraddh (Varshik Shraddh) is completed.

It is advisable to consult a priest for guidance according to family tradition.

Online Pind Daan During Pitru Paksha

If you are unable to travel to holy places or perform rituals personally, online Pind Daan can also be arranged.

You can share:

  • Names of ancestors

  • Gotra

  • Your family details

Based on this information, priests in Kashi (Varanasi) can perform Pind Daan and Shraddh rituals on your behalf, and provide confirmation after completion of the rituals.

Read more on Pitru Paksh 2026- Book Online Pind Daan in Varanasi


Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does Pitru Paksha 2026 start and end?

Pitru Paksha 2026 begins on 26 September 2026 (Saturday) and ends on 10 October 2026 (Saturday), which is observed as Sarva Pitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya).

2. On which day should Shradh be performed during Pitru Paksha?

Shradh or Pind Daan is usually performed on the same tithi (lunar date) on which the ancestor passed away. If the exact tithi is not known, rituals are generally performed on Sarva Pitri Amavasya, which is 10 October 2026.

3. What are the main rituals performed during Pitru Paksha?

The main rituals include daily Tarpan (offering water mixed with sesame seeds to ancestors), feeding animals like crow, dog, and cow (known as Kagwal), feeding Brahmins and making donations like Anna Daan and Vastra Daan, and performing Pind Daan where rice balls are offered to ancestors.

4. Which are the best places to perform Pind Daan during Pitru Paksha?

The most important places for Pind Daan during Pitru Paksha are Gaya (considered the most sacred for final Pind Daan), Prayagraj at the Triveni Sangam, Varanasi (Kashi), and Haridwar. Thousands of devotees visit these holy cities during Pitru Paksha.

5. Can Pind Daan during Pitru Paksha be done if someone passed away within one year?

No. If someone in the family has passed away within the last one year and the first annual Shradh (Varshik Shradh or Barsi) has not been completed, the regular Pitru Paksha rituals are generally not performed. Families should continue the monthly Shradh rituals until the Barsi is completed.

6. What is Sarva Pitri Amavasya and why is it important?

Sarva Pitri Amavasya is the last day of Pitru Paksha and falls on 10 October 2026. It is considered the most important day because Shradh performed on this day is believed to be effective for all ancestors, regardless of the tithi on which they passed away. Families who do not know the exact tithi of their ancestors generally perform Pind Daan on this day.

7. Can Pind Daan during Pitru Paksha be done online?

Yes. If you are unable to travel to holy places or perform rituals personally, online Pind Daan can be arranged. You share the names of ancestors, gotra, and family details. Priests in Kashi (Varanasi) perform the Pind Daan and Shradh rituals on your behalf and provide confirmation after completion.

8. What is Tarpan and how is it performed during Pitru Paksha?

Tarpan means offering water mixed with sesame seeds (til) to ancestors. Every day during Pitru Paksha, after taking a bath in the morning, one can offer jal and til while remembering the names of ancestors. It is the simplest and most commonly performed ritual during the fortnight.

About The Author

Shashank Mishra
Manager, Pitradev.com

Shashank Mishra comes with over 15 years of experience in religious tourism and organising Vedic rituals and ancestral ceremonies. At Pitradev, he oversees the coordination of Asthi Visarjan, Pind Daan, Shraadh, Grihapravesh, Vastu Shanti Puja, Satyanarayan Katha, Rudrabhishek, and other sacred rites across Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gaya, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai. His deep understanding of Hindu customs across regional traditions — North Indian, Tamil, Telugu, Odia, and Kannada — allows him to guide families through the correct vidhi with care and clarity, whether it is an ancestral ceremony at a tirtha kshetra or a housewarming puja in a metro city.

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