Pitru Paksha begins on September 29 and will end on October 14.
Pitru Paksha is annually observed for 15 days.
It is believed that the three generations of deceased ancestors live in an in-between realm called Pitrilok. During the Pitru Paksha, they are freed by the God of death, Yamraj or Yama, to visit their relatives and family members, and accept gifts, food and water. Pitru Paksha is annually observed for 15 days during which people commonly visit the banks of the Ganges or other holy rivers to make offerings to their departed ancestors.
This year, according to the Hindu Calendar, it is a 16-day period beginning on the full moon day of the Bhadrapada month and ending on the new moon day of the Ashwin month. Pitru Paksha begins on September 29 and ends on October 14.
Pitru Paksha doesn’t have fixed days. It may happen for 15 days, 16 days or 17 days depending on the moon.
Speaking with News18, Pandit Yashovardhan Choubey said that the days of Pitru Paksha changed. According to him, a 15-day Pitru Paksha occurs every second year, while a 16-day Pitru Paksha happens the third year and a 17-day Pitru Paksha occurs every eighth year.
Pandit Yashovardhan Choubey also said that according to the Hindu calendar, the current year Vikram Samvat 2080, there is an extra month which is why this year 16 days of Pitru Paksha are observed. Every third year, due to the “Adhik Mash” (extra month), 16 days of Pitru Paksha are followed while in Samanubhav there are 15 days of Pitru Paksha which happens every second year and 17 days of Pitru Paksha in every 8th year.
It is said that if the days are increased, the devotees get one or two days more time to offer prayers to their ancestors and to seek blessings and please them for their happiness and prosperity.
Pandit Yashovardhan Choubey, who has been performing the tarpan at Sagar’s Chakraghat in Madhya Pradesh, said that Pitru Paksha paves the way for getting relief from Dev Deb, Rishi Deb and Pitra Deb, 84 lakh deities in the East, Sapt Rishis in the North, 16 names of Yama in the south and pay homage to their ancestors with black sesame seeds offered to Lord Vishnu allowing the ancestors to cross the Vaitarani.
For the last 29 years, Pandit Yashovardhan Choubey has been offering tarpan for devotees. He is the fourth generation who has been following the practice in the Chakraghat.
