Pitru Paksha is a holy fortnight observed for performing Shraddha, Tarpan, and Pind Daan rituals, through which devotees pay homage to their ancestors and seek their divine blessings. During these 16 days of Shraddha Paksha, devotees are advised to follow strict rules and avoid certain activities that may displease the departed souls. According to Hindu traditions and scriptures like Garuda Purana, indulging in prohibited acts such as eating non-vegetarian food, drinking alcohol, celebrating marriages, or starting new ventures during Pitru Paksha is considered inauspicious. Knowing the things not to do in Pitru Paksha helps one observe this period with purity, devotion, and respect for the ancestors.
Do’s and Don’ts of Pitru Paksha – Forbidden Things in Shraddha Paksha
During Pitru Paksha (श्राद्ध पक्ष), which is a sacred 16-day period dedicated to paying respects to ancestors, certain activities and indulgences are traditionally considered prohibited or inauspicious. These rules are followed to maintain purity, focus, and sincerity in honoring the departed souls. Pitru Paksha में श्राद्ध और तर्पण का बहुत महत्व है, क्योंकि यह पितरों को सम्मान देने और उनके आशीर्वाद प्राप्त करने का पवित्र समय होता है। इस दौरान पिंडदान और जल तर्पण करना अनिवार्य माना जाता है, जिससे पितृ दोष का निवारण होता है। श्राद्ध पक्ष में ब्राह्मणों को भिक्षा देने से पहले खुद भोजन करना जरूरी है, और शराब, मांसाहार, प्याज़ और लहसुन जैसे तामसिक भोजन से पूरी तरह बचना चाहिए। इस अवधि में नए काम, गृह प्रवेश, विवाह, नामकरण या अन्य मांगलिक क्रियाएँ निषिद्ध हैं। पितरों की कृपा पाने के लिए दान, भोजन वितरण और गरीबों को सहायता करना अत्यंत लाभकारी माना जाता है। Pitru Paksha के नियमों और पवित्र श्राद्ध विधि का पालन करने से परिवार में सुख-शांति, समृद्धि और सकारात्मक ऊर्जा आती है। रात्रि में तर्पण करना वर्जित है, केवल दिन के समय पूजा करनी चाहिए। इस पवित्र अवधि में क्रोध, झूठ और हिंसा से दूर रहना चाहिए। सही तरीके से श्राद्ध और तर्पण करने से पितृ देवों का आशीर्वाद प्राप्त होता है और आने वाले जीवन में लाभ, सौभाग्य और स्वास्थ्य की प्राप्ति होती है।
Here’s a detailed list of things and activities prohibited during Pitru Paksha:
🔴 Food & Dietary Restrictions
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Non-vegetarian food – meat, fish, eggs, and even onion & garlic should be strictly avoided.
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Drugs, Alcohol and intoxicants – All forms of alcohol and intoxicants such as liquor, tobacco, and drugs are strictly prohibited during Pitru Paksha.
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Eating outside food – restaurant or hotel food is considered impure.
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Wastage of food – food should not be wasted; it must be shared with the needy, priests, or animals.
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Avoid fasting for pleasure – fasting should be only for shraddha rituals, not for self-denial or showing off.
🔴 Lifestyle Restrictions
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No new beginnings – buying new clothes, property, vehicles, or starting new ventures is avoided.
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No marriages or engagements – considered highly inauspicious.
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No celebrations – birthdays, parties, or festive gatherings are discouraged.
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Avoid cutting hair & shaving – except for ritual purposes like tonsure for shraddha.
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No sexual activities – indulgence in sensual pleasures is discouraged.
🔴 Behavioral Restrictions
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Do not disrespect elders or priests – blessings of ancestors are linked with their satisfaction.
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Avoid anger, lies, and violence – negative actions reduce the merit of offerings.
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No gambling or excessive entertainment – focus should remain on spiritual duties.
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Do not insult food (Anna-ninda) – food is considered sacred for offering to ancestors.
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Avoid harming animals and birds – instead, feeding crows, cows, dogs, and needy people is encouraged.
🔴 Spiritual Restrictions
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Skipping Shraddha rituals – not performing shraddha for ancestors is considered a major dosha.
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Offering with arrogance or impurity – rituals must be done with humility, clean mind, and pure heart.
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Doing Pitru Shraddha at night – Pitru Shraddha must be performed only during the daytime, as conducting these rituals after sunset is considered inauspicious.
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Offering money in place of food – symbolic rituals are not as effective; food, water, and charity are essential.
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Ignoring charity (daan) – withholding charity to Brahmins, poor, or needy cancels the merit of shraddha.
✅ What to do instead during Pitru Paksha:
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Perform shraddha, tarpan, and pind daan with devotion.
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Feed crows, cows, dogs, and the needy.
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Offer water daily to ancestors under a Peepal tree or in flowing water.
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Read Garuda Purana or related scriptures.
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Practice simplicity, meditation, and gratitude.
Other Prohibited things and activities during Pitru Paksha - Mahalaya September
During Pitru Paksha, no Manglik Karmas or auspicious ceremonies such as marriages, housewarming, upanayan, naamkaran, grand celebrations, deity homas, or major poojas should be performed.
Sexual intercourse, conception, and Alcohol strictly prohibited. Avoid carnal pleasures, cigarettes, tobacco and drugs.
Avoid buying new Clothes, shoes, high value assets like property, and jewelry.
Do not harm or abuse family members, children, old people, pets, animals, dogs, cows, birds, crows, insects, and fishes during this time.
During Pitru Paksha, it is advised to avoid eating restaurant meals, stale food, and tamasic or rajasic items such as non-vegetarian dishes, onion, and garlic
Avoid keeping food or dirty kitchenware out in the open in the kitchen overnight or unhygienic kitchen conditions with stagnant dirty water in wet areas. Keep a clean pot filled with water in the north east of your kitchen.
Avoid haircuts, cutting nails, head oil massages and oil baths.
Avoid complaining, speaking ill, negative talk about life or family members, especially about old or deceased family members or relatives.
Avoid initiating new mantras or sadhanas, conducting remedial yagyas and diety homas.
Do not perform shraddha if you are a single unmarried woman. A male descendant or a priest can do it on your behalf.
Do not do the shraddha and tila tarpan with unclean clothes, without celibacy, wearing leather on your body, without bath. Food should be offered to Brahmins only during the afternoon Aparahna Kala, and only after you have eaten yourself; serving outside this time is considered inauspicious.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Pitru Paksha
1. Can we buy new things during Pitru Paksha?
Purchasing new clothes, property, vehicles, or initiating any new venture is regarded as inauspicious during Pitru Paksha.
2. What food is forbidden in Pitru Paksha?
During Shraddha Paksha, non-vegetarian food, and stale food are strictly prohibited. Only satvik food should be prepared and offered in Shraddha rituals.
3. Is it permissible to conduct marriages or engagements during Pitru Paksha??
No, Pitru Paksha is not an auspicious time for weddings, engagements, or celebrations. These should be avoided as the period is dedicated to ancestors.
4. What should be done daily in Pitru Paksha?
Daily offerings of water (tarpan), prayers for ancestors, feeding crows, cows, dogs, and giving charity to Brahmins or needy people are recommended in Pitru Paksha.
5. What happens if Shraddha is not performed in Pitru Paksha?
If Shraddha rituals are not performed, it is believed to cause Pitru Dosha, leading to obstacles in family life, financial troubles, and lack of peace. Performing Shraddha ensures blessings and removes ancestral karmic debts.
6. What is Pitru Paksha and why is it important?
Pitru Paksha 2025 is a 16-day sacred period dedicated to honoring ancestors through Shraddha, Pind Daan, and Tarpan rituals. It is believed that performing these rituals removes Pitru Dosha and brings peace, prosperity, and blessings to the family.
7. What is the best time to perform Tarpan?
Tarpan should be performed during daytime, preferably in Aparahna Kala (afternoon). Performing rituals after sunset is considered inauspicious.
8. What is the significance of feeding crows during Pitru Paksha?
Crows are considered messengers of ancestors, and feeding them is believed to deliver offerings to departed souls
9. Can we light diyas or lamps for ancestors?
Yes, lighting diyas, ghee lamps, or incense sticks during Shraddha rituals is considered auspicious and helps honor ancestors.
10. Are there any mantras to chant during Pitru Paksha?
Yes, commonly chanted mantras include “Om Pitrubhyo Namah” and other Shraddha mantras from scriptures like Garuda Purana.
11. What happens if we miss Pitru Paksha?
If Pitru Paksha is missed, Shraddha rituals can be performed in the subsequent month or on Amavasya tithi, but the benefits are considered greatest during Pitru Paksha itself.
12. Can Shraddha be performed for both paternal and maternal ancestors, males and females?
Yes, Shraddha, Pind Daan, and Tarpan can be performed for all ancestors, including paternal (Pitru) and maternal (Maatru) forefathers and foremothers, irrespective of gender. Hindu scriptures emphasize honoring every ancestor—grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles, aunts, and even distant forefathers—because all departed souls are believed to bless the family. Both male and female ancestors receive offerings during Pitru Paksha, and performing rituals for all ensures Pitru Dosha removal and the flow of blessings, prosperity, Protection and peace into the family.
13. What if I have forgotten the death dates of my ancestors?
If the exact death dates of ancestors are unknown, you can still perform Shraddha, Pind Daan, and Tarpan during Pitru Paksha Amavasya. Hindu traditions allow rituals for all forefathers collectively, regardless of when they passed away. The most important aspect is devotion, sincerity, and proper offerings. Performing these rituals even without exact dates ensures that Pitru Dosha is reduced and blessings of ancestors for health, prosperity, and family harmony are received.
In conclusion, Pitru Paksha Shraddha rituals are not just traditional customs but a spiritual duty towards our forefathers. By following the do’s and don’ts of Pitru Paksha, avoiding prohibited things like non-vegetarian food, alcohol, new ventures, and unnecessary celebrations, one ensures peace for the departed souls. Performing Shraddha, Tarpan, Pind Daan, and charity during Pitru Paksha helps remove Pitru Dosha and brings blessings of health, wealth, prosperity, and family harmony. Remember, observing Pitru Paksha rules and rituals with devotion not only honors the ancestors but also strengthens the spiritual foundation of future generations. -- By Shri Rohit Anand
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