Pitru Paksha 2025: Dates, Rituals, Pind Daan, Muhurat & FAQs
- Pandit Vishal Dwivedi
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Life is not just about the present; it is a continuous chain connecting the past, present, and future through our ancestors. In Hindu dharma, this connection is celebrated and honored during Pitru Paksha, also known as Shradh Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha. In 2025, Pitru Paksha will be observed from Sunday, September 7 to Sunday, September 21, ending with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. These 15 lunar days of Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha are considered the most sacred for offering prayers, Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan for one’s ancestors.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through Pitru Paksha 2025 dates, rituals, rules, dos and don’ts, muhurat, pind daan costs, significance, and the best places to perform Shradh like Varanasi, Gaya, Haridwar, and Prayagraj.
What is Pitru Paksha?
The word Pitru means ancestors, and Paksha means fortnight. Together, Pitru Paksha refers to the fortnight of ancestors. It is believed that during these 15 days, the souls of our forefathers (Pitru) descend from Pitru Loka to Earth to receive offerings from their descendants.
The ritual performed is known as Shradh. It includes:
Tarpan: Water mixed with black sesame offered with mantras.
Pind Daan: Rice and barley balls mixed with ghee and honey offered to ancestors.
Brahmin Bhojan & Daan: Feeding Brahmins and donating essentials like clothes, food, and grains.
By performing these rituals, the Pitru attain peace (Pitru Trupti) and, in return, shower blessings of prosperity, health, and peace on the family.
Pitru Paksha 2025 Dates and Tithi
Start (Pratipada): Sunday, September 7, 2025
End (Sarva Pitru Amavasya / Mahalaya Amavasya): Sunday, September 21, 2025
Multiple reputable sources list Sep 7–21, 2025 for India, with Amavasya Shraddh on Sep 21 (local muhurat varies by city).
2025 Special Note – On September 7, 2025, the very first day of Pitru Paksha, a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) will take place. Many astrologers and spiritual guides describe this coincidence as highly significant. However, the rules and traditions related to performing rituals during an eclipse differ across sampradayas (lineages). It is always best to consult your family priest or community guide to understand whether the timings or methods of Shraddh rituals should be adjusted on this day.
Who Should Perform Shradh?
Traditionally, the eldest son performs Shradh for deceased parents and ancestors.
If the eldest son is absent, other sons, grandsons, daughters, or relatives can perform.
Women can also perform Shradh in many traditions, especially if no male descendant is available.
Shradh is performed for parents, grandparents, spouse, siblings, children, and relatives.
On Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Shradh can be performed for all ancestors collectively—especially useful if one does not know the exact tithi of death.
Rituals of Pitru Paksha Shradh
Performing Shradh requires purity, faith, and devotion (Shraddha). Below is a detailed step-by-step procedure:
1. Preparations
Take an early morning bath and wear clean clothes (preferably white or dhoti).
Arrange samagri: black sesame seeds, rice, ghee, honey, darbha grass, kusha, water, panchpatra, and pind daan ingredients.
Sit facing south, the direction of ancestors.
2. Sankalp
Make a vow (sankalp) mentioning your name, gotra, location, tithi, and the ancestors for whom Shradh is being performed.
3. Pind Daan
Prepare pindas (rice balls mixed with til, barley, ghee, honey).
Offer them to ancestors with mantras.
4. Tarpan
Pour water mixed with black sesame through your hands onto kusha grass.
Chant the names of ancestors (if known) or offer to “all Pitru.”
5. Brahmin Bhojan & Daan
Feed Brahmins or needy persons with satvik food.
Donate items like clothes, grains, til, footwear, umbrella, or dakshina.
6. Visarjan
Offer the remaining pindas to flowing water (river, pond, or sea).
Tarpan Vidhi in Detail
Tarpan is the most essential part of Shradh.
Use a copper/steel vessel.
Fill with clean water, add black sesame, kusha, and barley.
Offer water three times, chanting “Om Pitru Devatabhyo Swadha”.
Remember three generations—father, grandfather, great-grandfather (and their spouses).
Finally, offer to all Pitru collectively.
Pind Daan – The Core of Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha 2025, falling from September 7 to September 21, is the most sacred period dedicated to honoring our ancestors. Among the key rituals performed during these 16 days, Pind Daan holds the highest significance. It is a Vedic rite in which rice balls (pinds), sesame seeds, and sacred water are offered with devotion to departed souls, seeking their peace and blessings. Performing Pind Daan during Pitru Paksha is believed to free ancestors from unfulfilled desires, liberate them from the cycle of rebirth, and in turn, bring prosperity, harmony, and spiritual growth to the family. With evolving times, many families now also choose online Pind Daan services, ensuring the rites are conducted authentically by learned priests on their behalf.
Purpose of Pind Daan:
Helps the departed soul attain peace.
Removes Pitru Dosha (ancestral imbalance).
Brings blessings of health, prosperity, and harmony.
Best Places for Pind Daan in 2025:
Gaya (Bihar): Vishnupad Temple, Falgu River.
Varanasi (Kashi): Manikarnika, Harishchandra, Assi Ghat.
Haridwar (Uttarakhand): Har Ki Pauri Ghat.
Prayagraj (Allahabad): Triveni Sangam.
Other holy sites: Gokarna, Rameswaram, Badrinath, Jagannath Puri.
Importance of Online Shraddh and Pind Daan Rituals in 2025
In today’s fast-paced life, not everyone can travel to Varanasi, Gaya, or Haridwar. This is where online Shraddh and Pind Daan services come into play.
Why Online Rituals are Important:
Convenience: Families abroad or living far can still fulfill their duties.
Transparency: Services like MahaTarpan provide live streaming, photos, and videos of the puja.
Authenticity: Experienced purohits perform rituals as per Vedic norms.
Cost-effective: Saves travel and lodging expenses.
Inclusivity: Ensures every family member can participate virtually.
Many families now choose online Pitru Paksha services to stay connected to traditions, even while living overseas. Platforms like MahaTarpan specialize in providing 100% authentic rituals with a money-back guarantee if not satisfied.
Pitru Paksha Rules and Dos & Don’ts
Do’s:
Follow a satvik lifestyle (no non-veg, alcohol, or smoking).
Maintain purity in thoughts and actions.
Perform Tarpan daily if possible.
Feed crows, cows, dogs, and needy people.
Donate as per your capacity.
Don’ts:
Avoid auspicious activities (marriage, housewarming, naming ceremonies).
Do not cut hair or nails.
Avoid onions, garlic, non-veg, and alcohol.
Do not disrespect elders or priests.
Muhurat for Pitru Paksha 2025
Shradh rituals are ideally performed during:
Kutup Muhurat – before noon.
Rohina Muhurat – late morning.
Aparahna Kaal – afternoon.
Exact muhurat varies by location. Consult your priest.
Pitru Dosh and Remedies
When ancestors are unsatisfied due to unfulfilled duties, their souls cause Pitru Dosh in family charts.
Signs of Pitru Dosh:
Delay in marriage/childbirth.
Financial struggles.
Health issues or family disputes.
“Tripindi Shradh is regarded as one of the most powerful rituals for removing Pitru Dosha, and performing it during Pitru Paksha is considered highly auspicious.”
Remedies during Pitru Paksha:
Perform Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan.
Chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
Feed cows, dogs, crows.
Donate food, clothes, and grains.
Plant trees in ancestors’ memory.
Costs of Shradh & Pind Daan in Pitru Paksha 2025
The cost depends on place, priest, and rituals:
Shradh at home: ₹1,500 – ₹4,000
Shradh at temples/ghats: ₹3,000 – ₹7,000
Pind Daan in Gaya/Varanasi/Haridwar: ₹4,000 – ₹15,000
Online Shradh Booking: Starts from ₹5100 (with video proof).
With MahaTarpan, you get authentic Vedic priests, transparent pricing, all samagri included, and 100% money-back guarantee.
Best Places for Pitru Paksha 2025
1. Gaya (Bihar) – The Global Capital of Pind Daan
Rituals at Vishnupad Temple and Falgu River.
Mandatory for moksha, as per Garuda Purana.
2. Varanasi (Kashi, Uttar Pradesh)
Manikarnika, Harishchandra, Assi, Panchganga ghats.
Combine Shradh with Kashi Vishwanath darshan.
3. Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
Har Ki Pauri ghat.
Ideal for asthi visarjan, tarpan, pind daan.
4. Prayagraj (Sangam)
Holy confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati.
FAQs about Pitru Paksha 2025
Q1. When is Pitru Paksha 2025?
September 7 (Sunday) – September 21 (Sunday).
Q2. What is Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2025 date?
September 21, 2025 (Sunday).
Q3. Can women perform Shradh?
Yes, especially if no male heir is available.
Q4. What food is cooked during Shradh?
Satvik food like kheer, poori, khichdi, fruits. No onion/garlic/non-veg.
Q5. Where is the best place for Pind Daan?
Gaya, Varanasi, Haridwar, Prayagraj.
Q6. What is the cost of Pind Daan in Gaya 2025?
₹4,000 – ₹15,000 depending on rituals.
Q7. What if I don’t know the tithi?
Perform on Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
Q8. Is online Pind Daan effective?
Yes. As long as rituals are performed sincerely by qualified priests, online rituals are equally powerful. The devotion and intent of the yajman matter most.
Our View on Pitru Paksha 2025
Pitru Paksha is not just a ritual—it is an act of gratitude, remembrance, and responsibility towards our ancestors. By performing Shradh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan during Pitru Paksha 2025, you not only honor their souls but also bring peace, prosperity, and blessings into your life.
Whether you perform at home, in Gaya, Varanasi, Haridwar, Prayagraj, or through online Shradh booking with MahaTarpan, the key is sincerity, faith, and devotion.
This Pitru Paksha (September 7–21, 2025), remember your forefathers with love and gratitude, and let their blessings guide your journey.