Pitru Paksha, also known as Shraadh is a period of great significance in Hinduism. The 16 day period marks the beginning of the waning period in the Hindu calendar and occurs during the Bhadrapada month. This year, Pitru Paksha begins on Tuesday, September 1.
Significance
It is highly believed that during the Pitru Paksha period, our deceased ancestors come to visit us and to appease them, we must perform some important rituals and do pind daan (a meal of cooked rice and sesame seeds). It is said that if you perform these rituals in the right manner, our ancestors will bless us and achieve moksha from the cycle of life and death.
Rituals
All through this 16 day period, various rituals are conducted to appease our ancestors. This includes Tarpanam and Shradh rituals, apart from feeding the poor and even crows, the latter is said to be the harbinger of deceased souls. The period, even though paying homage to the deceased ancestors is considered to be widely inauspicious and no celebrations such as weddings take place during this period. The period is also considered to be inauspicious for buying a house, vehicle or jewllery.
Dates
Following are the different dates for the Shraadh rituals (source: drikpanchang)
September 1 Purnima Shradh
September 2 Pratipada Shradh
September 3 Dwitiya Shradh
September 5 Tritiya Shradh
September 6 Chaturthi Shradh
September 7 Panchami Shradh
September 8 Sashti Shradh
September 9 Saptami Shradh
September 10 Ashtami Shradh
September 11 Navami Shradh
September 12 Dashami Shradh
September 13 Ekadashi Shradh
September 14 Dwadashi Shradh
September 15 Trayodashi Shradh
September 16 Chaturdashi Shradh
September 17 Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh