# Pitru Paksha Begins with Rishi Tarpan on Bhadrapada Purnima: Check Full Schedule and Rituals > The sixteen-day sacred observance dedicated to ancestors has commenced with Bhadrapada Purnima and Rishi Tarpan. The first ritualistic shraddha will take place on the following day. **Type:** article · **Category:** Religion · **Published:** 2026-09-26 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/religion/pitru-paksha-begins-with-rishi-tarpan-on-bhadrapada-purnima-check-full-schedule-and-rituals-39200 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Pitru Paksha 2026, Bhadrapada Purnima, Rishi Tarpan, Shraddha Dates, Pind Daan, Sarvapitru Amavasya, Hindu Rituals The sixteen-day sacred period dedicated to expressing gratitude towards ancestors has officially commenced in the Hindu calendar. The observance begins on the full moon day of the Bhadrapada month with Rishi Tarpan. However, according to traditional customs, the actual performance of ancestral shraddha rituals begins from the Pratipada tithi of the Krishna paksha in the Ashwin month. The first shraddha ritual is scheduled to be performed on September twenty-seventh. According to traditional beliefs, ancestors descend from the celestial realms to the earthly plane during these sixteen days, desiring water and food offerings from their descendants. ## Significance and Rituals of Rishi Tarpan On the full moon day, water offerings are made specifically in the name of the ancient sages rather than the ancestors themselves. Without performing Rishi Tarpan, ancestral water offerings are never considered complete or successful. This initial ritual should ideally be performed near a natural water source such as a river or pond. If no such water body is available nearby, individuals can sit on their home terrace or courtyard near a running tap or water pump to complete the procedure. A strict rule during Rishi Tarpan is to avoid wearing stitched clothing. Bathing and performing the rituals while wearing damp garments is mandatory. While offering water, individuals must hold white flowers, black sesame seeds, and kusha grass in their hands. Furthermore, no flowers other than white ones should be used during this observance. ## Calendar Calculations and Purnima Vrat According to the lunar calendar, the Purnima tithi began on the night of September twenty-fifth at eleven-six and concluded on the night of September twenty-six at ten-eighteen. According to scriptural guidelines, whichever evening witnesses the presence of the Purnima tithi is designated as the day for observing the full moon fast. Consequently, the Purnima fast was observed on September twenty-six. Following ten-eighteen at night, the Pratipada tithi of the Ashwin month commenced, marking the immediate beginning of Pitru Paksha. The Pratipada tithi will conclude on September twenty-seventh at eight-fifty-eight at night. Thus, the systematic performance of ancestral shraddha rites will proceed actively from September twenty-seventh, which falls on a Sunday. ## Duration of Pitru Paksha and Pind Daan The entire duration of Pitru Paksha extends from the Pratipada tithi of the Ashwin Krishna paksha until Sarvapitru Amavasya. During this fortnightly period, ancestral shraddha rites are performed within households to ensure the peace and satisfaction of departed souls. Pind Daan holds immense spiritual significance throughout this period. According to religious beliefs, performing Pind Daan and shraddha with proper scriptural procedures helps individuals attain freedom from ancestral curses. The determination of shraddha dates relies strictly on Hindu lunar calendar dates rather than the Gregorian calendar. The shraddha of any family member is conducted on the exact lunar date corresponding to their passing. If the exact date of a relative's demise remains unknown, determining the appropriate time and method according to local almanacs and family traditions is considered most appropriate. ## Sarvapitru Amavasya on October Tenth The concluding day of Pitru Paksha will fall on October tenth with Sarvapitru Amavasya, also known as Mahalaya Amavasya. This day serves as a traditional occasion to perform shraddha for all those ancestors whose exact dates of passing are unknown. Even if individuals fail to perform shraddha on the designated specific date due to any reason, Sarvapitru Amavasya remains a highly significant alternative. ## Facing Southwards and Specific Ritual Rules Throughout the fortnight of shraddha, rituals are executed with utmost devotion, including sankalp, water tarpan, pind daan, preparation of pure vegetarian meals, setting aside separate portions for cows, crows, and dogs, and performing charity. Water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, and kusha grass is offered to the ancestors while facing the southern direction. Additionally, pind daan is carried out on the respective death anniversaries of the ancestors. ## Complete Schedule of Important Shraddha Dates The prominent shraddha dates scheduled throughout Pitru Paksha include - **September 26, Saturday:** Purnima Shraddha was observed. - **September 27, Sunday:** Pratipada Shraddha will be performed. - **September 28, Monday:** Dwitiya Shraddha will take place. - **September 29, Tuesday:** Tritiya Shraddha and Mahabharani will be observed. - **September 30, Wednesday:** Chaturthi and Panchami Shraddha will be combined. - **October 1, Thursday:** Shashthi Shraddha will be conducted. - **October 2, Friday:** Saptami Shraddha will take place. - **October 3, Saturday:** Ashtami Shraddha will be observed. - **October 4, Sunday:** Navami Shraddha will be performed. - **October 5, Monday:** Dashami Shraddha will remain. - **October 6, Tuesday:** Ekadashi Shraddha will be conducted. - **October 7, Wednesday:** Dwadashi and Magha Shraddha will take place. - **October 8, Thursday:** Trayodashi Shraddha will be observed. - **October 9, Friday:** Chaturdashi Shraddha will be conducted. - **October 10, Saturday:** Sarvapitru Amavasya will mark the conclusion of Pitru Paksha. ## What this means for you The commencement of Pitru Paksha brings distinct changes to the daily routines of families observing traditional Hindu customs. During this fortnight, households engage in ancestral worship, ritual water offerings, and the preparation of strict vegetarian meals. - **Across India:** Sanatan followers nationwide perform rituals dedicated to the peace of their departed ancestors throughout this sixteen-day period. Families prepare pure vegetarian meals at home and engage in charitable acts and feeding priests. - **Religious Guidelines:** Cutting hair and nails, as well as purchasing new clothes or auspicious items, is traditionally avoided during this mourning and remembrance period. Individuals maintain strict dietary discipline and a reflective lifestyle. - **Family Traditions:** Every family conducts tarpan and pind daan according to their traditional calendar and the specific lunar dates of their ancestors. This strengthens family bonds and cultural heritage. - **Charity and Benevolence:** Separate portions of food are set aside for cows, crows, dogs, and the needy during these days. This fosters a sense of service toward the underprivileged and stray animals in society. ## Why this happened The observance of Pitru Paksha and Rishi Tarpan is rooted in ancient Vedic traditions and mythological beliefs. The primary objective of these religious rituals is to express deep respect toward ancestors and discharge ancestral debts. - **Necessity of Rishi Tarpan:** According to sacred texts, ancestral tarpan remains incomplete without seeking the blessings of the Saptarishis, which is why sages are invoked first on Purnima. - **Duty of Descendants:** Religious belief holds that souls from the ancestral realm visit their descendants during this period, expecting water and food offerings. - **Freedom from Ancestral Curses:** Performing pind daan and tarpan according to scriptural procedures pacifies ancestral afflictions in horoscopes and restores domestic harmony. - **Basis of Date Calculation:** Following lunar calendar dates rather than the Gregorian calendar ensures that rituals are conducted at precise astrological and religious timings. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When did Pitru Paksha begin? Pitru Paksha began with Bhadrapada Purnima and Rishi Tarpan, while the first shraddha will take place on September 27. ### 2. Whose tarpan is performed on Bhadrapada Purnima? Tarpan is performed in the name of the Saptarishis rather than the ancestors on Bhadrapada Purnima. ### 3. On which date will the first shraddha ritual be conducted? The first shraddha ritual will be conducted on the Pratipada tithi of Ashwin month, which is September 27. ### 4. When will Pitru Paksha conclude? Pitru Paksha will conclude on October 10 with Sarvapitru Amavasya. ### 5. Which color flowers should be used during tarpan? Only white colored flowers should be used during tarpan, as other colored flowers are restricted. ### 6. How are shraddha dates determined? Shraddha dates are determined based on the Hindu lunar calendar and the exact death anniversary of relatives rather than the Gregorian calendar. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._