Quick answer
Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from Saturday, 26 September to Saturday, 10 October. The fortnight honors ancestors through tarpan, pind daan and shraddh. Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on 10 October. Use that date if you do not know your family's exact death tithi.
Pitru Paksha 2026 begins on Saturday, 26 September and ends on Saturday, 10 October. The fortnight spans 15 days, one for every tithi in the lunar cycle.
You use this period to honor ancestors through shraddh, tarpan and pind daan. Your family's death tithi decides your exact ritual day this year.
This guide gives you the full day-by-day calendar, the correct vidhi, the samagri list, and answers to common questions about dates, timing and who can perform the ritual.
What Is Pitru Paksha? Meaning and Regional Names
Pitru Paksha means the fortnight of ancestors. You dedicate these 15 days to remembering and honoring family members who have passed away.
The name changes by region. You may know it as Kanagat, Pitar Paksh, Sorah Shraddh, Mahalaya Paksha or Jitiya, depending on where your family lives.
Each regional name points to the same fortnight. Only the local rituals, food offerings and small customs shift from state to state across India.
Knowing your regional name helps you search correctly and match local customs. It also explains why relatives in different states describe the same festival differently.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Full Calendar: Day-by-Day Tithi Table
Use this table to find your ancestor's shraddh date. Match the known death tithi to the correct 2026 calendar date below.
| Tithi | Date (2026) | Day | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pratipada Shraddh | 26 September | Saturday | First day of the fortnight |
| Dwitiya Shraddh | 27 September | Sunday | — |
| Tritiya Shraddh | 28 September | Monday | — |
| Chaturthi Shraddh | 29 September | Tuesday | — |
| Panchami Shraddh | 30 September | Wednesday | Short tithi in 2026, verify locally |
| Shashthi Shraddh | 1 October | Thursday | — |
| Saptami Shraddh | 2 October | Friday | — |
| Ashtami Shraddh | 3 October | Saturday | — |
| Navami Shraddh (Matru Navami) | 4 October | Sunday | Traditionally for married women |
| Dashami Shraddh | 5 October | Monday | — |
| Ekadashi Shraddh | 6 October | Tuesday | Coincides with Indira Ekadashi |
| Dwadashi Shraddh | 7 October | Wednesday | — |
| Trayodashi Shraddh | 8 October | Thursday | — |
| Chaturdashi Shraddh | 9 October | Friday | For accidental or violent deaths |
| Sarva Pitru Amavasya | 10 October | Saturday | Covers every ancestor; observed if the exact tithi is unknown |
Bhadrapada vs Ashwin: Why Two Calendars Show Different Months
India follows two lunar systems, Amanta and Purnimanta. Amanta ends the month at the new moon, Purnimanta ends it at the full moon instead.
Under Amanta, Pitru Paksha falls in Bhadrapada. Under Purnimanta, the same 15 days fall in Ashwin. Both systems point to identical calendar dates.
You do not need to worry about the month name. Focus on the exact English date and your family's specific tithi instead of the month label.
How to Find Your Family's Shraddh Tithi
If you know the exact death tithi, match it directly to the calendar table above and perform shraddh on that corresponding 2026 date.
If you know only the English death date, ask your purohit to convert it to the matching Hindu tithi for this year's calendar.
If you know neither the date nor the tithi, perform your shraddh on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, 10 October. This single day covers every ancestor.
Significance of Pitru Paksha and Pitru Dosha
Hindu tradition holds that ancestors bless the family when remembered with food, water and prayer during this fortnight each year.
Pitru dosh refers to an imbalance some believe arises from neglected ancestor rituals. Performing shraddh sincerely is the traditional remedy for it.
You do not need to fear pitru dosh. Regular tarpan and one respectful shraddh are enough for most households, according to most purohits.
Tarpan vs Pind Daan vs Shraddh: What's the Difference
These three terms confuse many readers. Here is a direct comparison so you understand what each ritual involves and when to perform it.
| Ritual | What It Is | Who Performs It | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shraddh | Full ritual honoring ancestors; includes tarpan and a food offering | Eldest son, or another eligible family member | On the death tithi, mainly during Pitru Paksha |
| Tarpan | Water offering made with black til (sesame seeds) and kusha grass | Any family member | Daily, or throughout Pitru Paksha |
| Pind Daan | Rice ball offering performed at a sacred site | Usually priest-assisted and performed by the eldest son or an eligible family member | Once, often at sacred sites such as Gaya or Prayagraj |
Shraddh and Tarpan Samagri Checklist
Gather these items before your ritual date. A complete samagri list keeps your shraddh or tarpan simple and stress-free.
● Kusha grass
● Black til (sesame seeds)
● Brass kalash (water vessel)
● Pooja thali set
● Diya and cotton wicks
● Dhoop and agarbatti
● White cloth (new, unstitched)
● Cooked rice and milk
● Honey and pure ghee
● Fresh flowers and tulsi leaves
Ornativo's brass items guide covers kalash, diyas and thali sets in one place, ready to ship before your shraddh date.
Tradition favors brass and copper vessels over steel for tarpan. Brass is considered pure in Hindu ritual and is easy to clean after use.
You can complete your pooja thali and diya set from Ornativo's table decor collection, styled for daily worship and festival use alike.
Buy the kusha grass and til fresh, close to your ritual date. Reuse your brass kalash and thali each year for consistency and ease.
Step-by-Step Shraddh and Tarpan Vidhi at Home
Perform this vidhi during aparahna kaal, roughly 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM local time. Confirm the exact window with your city's panchang.
Kutup muhurat falls near midday, and Rohina muhurat follows shortly after. Both are considered auspicious windows within the aparahna period.
1. Bathe and wear clean clothes before the aparahna window begins.
2. Face south, light a diya, and place the brass kalash filled with water nearby.
3. Take sankalp: state the ancestor's name and the ritual's purpose aloud, with folded hands.
4. Offer water mixed with black til and kusha grass to the ancestor, three times.
5. Offer cooked rice, milk and sweets on a banana leaf or a clean plate.
6. Feed a cow, crow or a Brahmin as a symbolic close to the offering.
7. End with a short prayer asking for the ancestor's peace and the family's wellbeing.
Sankalp sets your intent for the ritual. Skip it, and priests consider the shraddh incomplete, regardless of the offerings made.
Who Can Perform Shraddh: Including No Son or Daughters
Tradition places the eldest son as the default person to perform shraddh for a deceased parent or ancestor.
When there is no son, a daughter, widow, younger son or nephew can perform shraddh in most households today.
Eligibility rules vary by family and purohit. Many priests now support daughters performing the full shraddh rite without restriction.
Ask your family purohit directly before the date. Practice varies across regions, and most priests accommodate genuine intent over rigid rules.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026: The Most Important Day
Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on Saturday, 10 October 2026. It closes the Pitru Paksha fortnight and holds the highest significance.
This day covers every ancestor, regardless of their actual death tithi. Use it if you missed an earlier date this year.
Many households perform their only shraddh of the year on this single Amavasya, especially when the exact tithi stays unknown.
Do's and Don'ts During Pitru Paksha
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Perform tarpan daily if your schedule allows it. | Avoid new purchases such as vehicles, property, or gold. |
| Keep meals simple and largely vegetarian throughout the fortnight. | Skip weddings, housewarmings, and other celebratory events. |
| Donate food, clothes, or money to those in need. | Avoid non-vegetarian food and alcohol where your family tradition asks for it. |
| Maintain cleanliness at home and in your worship space. | Avoid haircuts and shaving until the fortnight ends, according to family tradition. |
Many urban households follow these restrictions loosely today. Most families keep the core rituals and relax the stricter daily restraints.
Regional Variations Across India
| Region | Local Name | Notable Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi NCR | Kanagat | Family gatherings and daily tarpan at home |
| Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, MP | Pitar Paksh / Sorah Shraddh | Pind Daan trips to Gaya are common |
| West Bengal, Odisha, Assam | Mahalaya | Marks the start of Durga Puja preparations |
| Maharashtra, Gujarat | Pitru Pandharwada | Daily crow-feeding rituals |
| South India | Mahalaya Paksha | Amavasya tarpan at temples and rivers |
Your family's regional custom decides the exact style. The core intent, honoring ancestors, stays identical across every region.
In Bengal, Mahalaya also marks the start of Durga Puja season. Radio broadcasts and early morning rituals mark this transition for many families.
What to Do If You Can't Perform Shraddh Yourself
You can hire a purohit to perform shraddh on your behalf at home, without traveling anywhere yourself.
Priest-booking platforms now offer live-streamed pind daan at Gaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Haridwar and Nashik for families who cannot travel.
Gaya remains the most significant pilgrimage site, centered on the Vishnupad Temple and the Falgu river, believed to liberate the ancestor's soul.
If you live abroad, adjust your ritual timing to match India's aparahna window using a simple timezone conversion below.
| Location | Local Time for 1:00–3:30 PM IST |
|---|---|
| US East Coast | 3:30–6:00 AM (same day) |
| US West Coast | 12:30–3:00 AM (same day) |
| United Kingdom | 8:30–11:00 AM |
| Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM |
| Singapore | 3:30–6:00 PM |
| Australia (Sydney) | 6:30–9:00 PM |
What Follows Pitru Paksha: 2026 Festive Calendar Preview
| Festival | 2026 Date |
|---|---|
| Sharad Navratri Begins | Sunday, 11 October 2026 |
| Dussehra | Tuesday, 20 October 2026 |
| Diwali | Sunday, 8 November 2026 |
Pitru Paksha ends and festive preparation begins immediately after. Many households shop for new brass idols and decor right after Amavasya.
Ornativo's festive gifting collection makes this transition simple, from Ganesha idols to wall-hanging diyas ready before Navratri begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Pitru Paksha 2026 start and end?
Pitru Paksha 2026 starts on Saturday, 26 September and ends on Saturday, 10 October. The fortnight covers 15 tithis and closes with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the most significant day for ancestor rituals in the entire period.
What is Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026?
Sarva Pitru Amavasya 2026 falls on Saturday, 10 October. It is the final day of Pitru Paksha and honors every ancestor at once. Use this date if you do not know your family's exact death tithi for this year.
What is the difference between tarpan and pind daan?
Tarpan is a simple water offering with black til and kusha grass, done daily or during Pitru Paksha. Pinddaan is a rice ball offering performed at a sacred site like Gaya, usually completed once in a lifetime.
Can a daughter perform shraddh if there is no son?
Yes. Most households and priests today allow a daughter, widow or younger son to perform shraddh when there is no eldest son available. Practice still varies by family, so confirm the exact process with your purohit beforehand.
What samagri do I need for shraddh at home?
You need kusha grass, black til, a brass kalash, a pooja thali, a diya, dhoop, white cloth, cooked rice, milk and fresh flowers. Most households gather these items a day before the shraddh date to keep the ritual stress-free.
What is the correct time to perform shraddh?
Perform shraddh during aparahna kaal, roughly between 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM local time. Kutup and Rohina muhurat fall within this window and are considered the most auspicious times for the ritual each day.
What should I avoid during Pitru Paksha?
Avoid new purchases like vehicles or property, weddings, housewarmings, haircuts and non-vegetarian food. Many urban households follow these restrictions loosely today and focus mainly on completing the core rituals instead.
What if I don't know my ancestor's death tithi?
Perform your shraddh on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, 10 October 2026. This day is designed to cover every ancestor, regardless of the actual death date or tithi, making it the safest fallback for uncertain families.
Can I perform Pitru Paksha rituals if I live abroad?
Yes. Adjust your ritual timing to match India's aparahna window using a timezone conversion, or book a priest through a puja platform to perform pind daan on your behalf at Gaya or Varanasi.
What comes after Pitru Paksha in 2026?
Sharad Navratri begins on 11 October, followed by Dussehra on 20 October and Diwali on 8 November. Festive preparation across most Hindu households starts immediately after Sarva Pitru Amavasya ends.
In Short
Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from 26 September to 10 October. Sarva Pitru Amavasya falls on 10 October and covers every ancestor at once. Match your family's tithi to the calendar table, or default to Amavasya if unsure. Gather your samagri early and perform tarpan within the aparahna window for an authentic, stress-free ritual.
