Autumn · 26 September 2026 – 9 October 2026
Pitru Paksha
पितृपक्षः · The fortnight of the ancestors
Festival details
26 September 2026 – 9 October 2026
Bhadrapada Purnima to Sarva Pitru Amavasya
15 days
About
ॐ पितृभ्यो नमः
Pitru Paksha is a significant Sanatan observance centred on shraddha. Devotees keep vows, worship, and give charity to purify daily life.
Origin
Both scripture and folk memory root Pitru Paksha deeply. Tithi, katha, and the traditions of tarpana give the day its meaning.
Why it is celebrated
The day is kept because shraddha teaches duty, devotion, and balance. Families and communities express reverence together.
The katha
Puranic accounts linked to Pitru Paksha speak through shraddha of protecting dharma and protecting the devotee.
Stories & episodes
In tarpana and beyond, folk stories of Pitru Paksha are told across generations, keeping the festival alive.
Rituals & customs
Bathing and worship, mantra japa, fasting or fruit, lamp offerings, and traditional prasad linked to shraddha.
Where it is celebrated
Especially tarpana; also observed with devotion across India and in the diaspora.