Shradh Puja Date & Time, Rituals, Benefits and more

Shradh Puja, also known as Pitru Paksha, is a Hindu ritual performed to pay homage to deceased ancestors. It is a deep meaningful ritual in Hindu culture, believed to provide peace to the souls of the deceased and aid in the journey to their afterlife. 

The Shradh ritual holds an immense role in several Hindu texts, including the Puranas and Smritis, where it is emphasised to provide peace in the afterlife. Offering food, prayers and rituals during Shradh Pooja is considered essential to fulfilling one’s to the ancestor, known as Pitru Rin. 

Who can Perform Sharadh Puja?

Shradh puja is performed by the deceased’s eldest son or a male member. If no male member is available, any close relatives can perform. Nowadays, a daughter can also perform Shradh Puja if no male member or eldest son is available. In some customs, people hired priests or Brahmins to perform Shradh Pooja on behalf of the family. 

Pitru Paksha Pooja Rituals and Auspicious Time 

Shradh Pooja is typically performed during Pitru Paksha, 16 days in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada between September and October. There is no specific muharat to perform Sharadh Pooja, you can consult with Pandit ji and perform this pooja at your convenience.

However, Shradha Pooja can also be performed on a specific death anniversary, which is known as Tithi Shradh depending on family customs. 

The Shradh Puja follows a specific series of rituals and steps:

1. Tarpan: Tarpan is an act of offering water mixed with black sesame seeds to the ancestors while chanting mantras. These rituals are performed to help the ancestors attain moksha.
2. Pind Daan: It is the act of offering rice balls mixed with ghee, black sesame seeds, honey, sugar, milk and curd. The offering signifies a gesture of feeding the souls and satisfying the ancestors.
3. Offering Foods: During Shradh, specific food is prepared and offered to the ancestors. The food typically includes dishes that the deceased person enjoyed. It must be satvik food, Non-vegetarian food and onion-garlic are avoided during this ritual. 
4. Brahmin Feeding: After the rituals, it is customary to feed Brahmins and offer them alms (Dakshina). The belief is that by feeding Brahmins or priests, the benefits of rituals reach the ancestors. 

Note: The chanting of Pitru Mantras and Gayatri Mantra is considered of special importance during Shradh Pooja. 

Shradh Date and Tithi 2024

What happens if Shradh is not Performed?

There is a belief in Hindus that if Shardh is not performed, it can lead to Pitru Dosh. Pitru Dosh is said to bring misfortune, family disputes, health issues or other challenges in life, due to which family members cannot live their lives in an ideal manner. 

To get rid of or eliminate Pitru Dosh, family members or individuals should perform Pitru Dosh Nivaran Puja and offer food to crows, cows and dogs during Pitru Paksha.

Puja Samagri for Performing Shradh Puja

The Pooja Samagri required for Shradh Puja are as follows:

• Julpura
• Roli
• Moli
• Akshant
• Chawal
• Ghee
• Back Til
• Naivedya
• Daan
• Kapda
• Kalash
• Coconut
• Supari
• Banana
• Flowers
• Dhoop
• Batti
• Lota
• Bell
• Aashan

When to Perform Shradh After Death?

According to Hindu mythology, Shradh should be performed depending on caste traditions, however normally it is performed between the 11th and 31st day after death.

First Year Shradh Rituals

The rituals after one year of death are performed as a Shradh ceremony and this ceremony is usually conducted by the Hindu priest who is for the funeral. The priest chants mantras and helps family members by offering prayers and food to the departed soul. 

Online Shradh Puja

YatraDham.Org offers online Shradh Pooja services and this is a convenient option for people who are unable to perform Shradh Pooja themselves or who live far away from a temple.

Also Read – How to book online puja at YatraDham

Temples Where You Can Perform Shradh Puja

Shradh Puja in Gaya

It is believed to be an apt destination for performing Shradh Pooja. This place is mentioned both in Ramayana and Mahabharatha as Gayapuri. There are 48 places in Gaya where Pind Daan is performed. 

Shradh Puja in Haridwar

Haridwar is an important place for conducting pooja towards all deities as well as towards our deceased ancestors. The Asthi visarjan and Shradh pooja are religiously performed at Holy Ganges.

Shradh Puja in Nashik

It is believed that Tirpindi Shardh Puja is performed in Nashik to bring peace to the souls of ancestors who have died with unfulfilled desires or without proper rites. This puja includes three Pindis to three generations of ancestors.

Shradh Puja in Badrinath

Badrinath is one of the four Dhams in Hindus. The devotees prefer Badrinath as very beneficial for rituals like Sharadh, Pind Daan and Tarpan Pooja as the place is linked to Lord Vishnu.

Benefits of Shradh Pooja

• By performing Shradh Pooja, one can receive the Pitrus blessing to help achieve their dreams without any obstacles.
• The intensity of Pitru Dosh is also reduced.

If you are looking to do an online Shradh Puja at any religious destination, you can book your puja from YatraDham.Org.