Shraddha Paksha 2025: A Time for Remembrance, Gratitude, and Connection
- Pandit Vishal Dwivedi
- Jul 27
- 5 min read
In the rhythm of our bustling modern lives, there are moments that ask us to pause, to look back not just at our own past, but at the long line of people who came before us. We are, after all, living stories, carrying within us the hopes, struggles, and love of our ancestors. One of the most profound times for this reflection in the Hindu tradition is Shraddha Paksha. As we look ahead, Shraddha Paksha 2025 offers us a sacred window to honour this very connection.
This year, the 15-day lunar period of Pitru Paksha, or Shraddha Paksha, will begin on Saturday, September 6, 2025, and conclude with Sarva Pitru Amavasya on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
But what is this period truly about? Let's move beyond a simple definition and explore the heart of this timeless tradition.
What Does "Shraddha" Truly Mean?
The word "Shraddha" (श्राद्ध) itself is beautiful. It doesn't mean mourning or sadness. It is derived from the word 'Shraddha' which means faith, devotion, and reverence. So, Shraddha Paksha is not a season of sorrow; it is a season of heartfelt gratitude. It is a time dedicated to performing acts of love and respect for the generations that paved the way for our existence. According to ancient beliefs, during these fifteen days, the veil between the realm of the ancestors (Pitru Loka) and the realm of the living things. It is believed that our ancestors visit us, watch over us, and accept the offerings we make with love.
The Heart of the Rituals: More Than Just Actions
The rituals performed during Shraddha Paksha 2025 are deeply symbolic gestures of love and sustenance. While they may vary by region and family, the core sentiment remains the same.
Tarpan (तर्पण): This is the offering of water, often mixed with black sesame seeds, from cupped hands. Imagine this simple act: as the water flows through your fingers, you are symbolically quenching the thirst of your ancestral line. It's a gesture that says, "We remember you, we are grateful, and we wish for your peace." It acknowledges the continuous flow of life from them to you.
Pind Daan (पिंड दान): This is the offering of pinds — rounded balls made of cooked rice, barley flour, honey, and ghee. This isn't just a ritualistic food offering. Think of it as preparing a nourishing meal for a beloved guest who has travelled a long way to see you. Each pind is offered with a name, a memory, and a feeling of connection to a specific ancestor, honouring their individual place in your family tree.
Feeding the Community and Animals: A central tenet of Shraddha is sharing. Food is prepared and offered first to a Brahmin, who is seen as a conduit for the ancestors. But the charity extends further. A portion of the food is also offered to crows (believed to be messengers of Yama, the god of death), cows (revered as sacred), and dogs. This beautiful practice reminds us that our duty of care extends to all living beings, creating a circle of compassion that benefits the entire ecosystem.
Beyond Ritual: A Time for Stories and Legacy
While the rituals are important, the true spirit of Shraddha Paksha 2025 can be embraced by everyone, regardless of how strictly they follow traditions. At its core, this is a time for:
Sharing Stories: Gather your family. Talk about your grandparents, your great-grandparents. What were they like? What funny habits did they have? What challenges did they overcome? When we share their stories, we bring their essence back to life in our homes and hearts. They cease to be just names on a family tree and become real people whose strength and love still resonate.
Reflecting on Your Inheritance: This isn't about material wealth. It's about the intangible legacy you carry. Do you have your grandmother's resilient spirit? Your grandfather's sense of humour? The values of honesty and hard work they instilled? Shraddha is a time to recognise these inherited traits and feel a deep sense of gratitude for them. Our ancestors live on through us in countless ways.
Acts of Service: If you are unable to perform the traditional rituals, you can still honour the spirit of Shraddha. Donate to a charity your ancestors would have supported. Plant a tree in their name. Spend time helping someone in need. Any act of selfless service, done with your ancestors in your heart, becomes a beautiful offering.
Embracing Shraddha Paksha 2025 in a Modern World
In our global, fast-paced lives, it's okay if your observance looks different. The most important ingredient is your intention (bhavana).
Embrace Online Rituals with MahaTarpan
Modern life or distance from traditional holy sites need not prevent anyone from fulfilling these sacred duties. MahaTarpan offers seamless solutions for performing all Shraddh Paksha rituals online, including:
Online Shraddh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan, performed by learned Vedic priests at auspicious locations such as Gaya, Varanasi, or Prayagraj, with your family’s details and sankalp.
Personalized rituals broadcast live or with proper documentation, so you connect with tradition wherever you are be it India or abroad.
Guided support for choosing rituals specific to your needs, including Pitru Dosh Nivaran, rituals for those who passed away unnaturally, and charity options.
Why Choose MahaTarpan?
Convenience & Authenticity: Qualified priests, authentic Vedic procedures, and real-time participation no matter your location.
Comprehensive Packages: Includes Sankalp, Tarpan, Pind Daan, food donation for Brahmins and needy, and personalized follow-up.
Peace of Mind: Honor family traditions and seek ancestral blessings even if you cannot visit pilgrimage sites physically.
Make Shraddh Paksha 2025 truly meaningful, preserve the sanctity of rituals while adapting to modern life. Book your online Shraddh, Tarpan, or Pind Daan with MahaTarpan and ensure your ancestors are remembered and blessed, bringing harmony and spiritual prosperity to your family.
Book Your Rituals with MahaTarpan: Continue your legacy of devotion, wherever you are.
Where to Perform Shraddh Paksha 2025?
While you can do shraddh at home, certain places are considered more spiritually powerful for this ritual. These include:
Varanasi (Kashi) – The city of salvation
Gaya – Famous for Pind Daan at Vishnupad Temple
Haridwar – At the holy Ganga ghats
Prayagraj – Triveni Sangam is believed to purify the soul
You can book services with trusted spiritual platforms like MahaTarpan, who offer authentic purohits, samagri, and complete guidance for Shraddh Paksha 2025 rituals. You can even request online shraddh services with live video calls.
Light a simple lamp (diya) in your home in their memory.
Cook their favourite meal and share it with your family.
Spend a few moments in quiet contemplation, simply sending them thoughts of love and peace.
Our View
Shraddha Paksha 2025 is an invitation. It's a call to slow down and acknowledge our roots. It teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but part of a long, unbroken chain of life. By remembering our ancestors with love and gratitude, we not only offer them peace but also enrich our own lives with a profound sense of belonging and purpose. Let this season be a beautiful reminder that love never dies; it simply changes form.
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