Days for remembering ancestors through the year

More than one fortnight

Pitru Paksha is the best-known season, but Hindu tradition offers many other days to remember ancestors. Some are monthly, some yearly, and some are linked to the sun's movement or to special tithis. You do not need to observe all of them. Many families keep only the death anniversary, Pitru Paksha and a few Amavasyas.

Traditions vary. Follow your family's custom or your priest's guidance. This site shows the exact dates for your city, so the table below gives only the Hindu timing.

The occasions

The death anniversary

The annual Shraddha is held on the same lunar date as the death. Two things matter: the Hindu month with its paksha, and the tithi.

• Use the tithi that was current at the time of death, as given by a Panchang for the place where the person died.
• If the tithi runs across two days, the usual rule is to choose the day on which it is present during the Aparahna, the afternoon part of the day. If it is present in the Aparahna on both days, some calendars choose the day on which it lasts longer there, and if equal, the earlier day. Calendars and priests apply the rule differently, so ask yours.
• If the tithi is not present in the Aparahna at all on a day, or is repeated or skipped in the calendar, the day is chosen by the calendar rules of the tradition. Your family priest or a trusted Panchang can decide.
• If the person passed away close to a change of tithi, the tithi at the exact moment of death is used. If you only know the clock time, ask a priest to check a Panchang for the place and time.
• In the year of death, the first annual Shraddha (Pratyabdika or first Abdika) is considered especially important. Monthly rites in the first year are a separate matter, led by your priest.
• If the death date is unknown, many families use Sarva Pitru Amavasya. See the guide on who can perform.

Because the Hindu month names differ between the Amanta and Purnimanta systems, a Krishna paksha death may carry a different month name in your family's calendar. The tithi and paksha are what you can rely on.

Sankranti, the sun's transits

On Makar Sankranti the sun begins its northern journey (Uttarayana), and on Karka Sankranti its southern journey (Dakshinayana). Both are traditionally good days for Tarpan. Sesame, water and warm food are the usual offerings. These days fall on nearly the same dates each year.

Yugadi and Manvadi tithis

Texts such as the Puranas list certain days as the first day of a Yuga (age) or a Manvantara (the reign of a Manu). They are called Yugadi and Manvadi. Offerings of water, sesame and charity on these days are said to be especially fruitful. Yugadi lists commonly include Akshaya Tritiya and Akshaya Navami. Manvadi lists, which have fourteen days, include Kartik Purnima and several other Purnimas and Amavasyas. Different texts and calendars give different lists, so check your local Panchang or ask a priest.

Eclipse days

Many traditions avoid cooking, worship and eating during an eclipse and bathe and give charity after it ends. Some Dharmashastra texts also allow ancestor rites at the time of an eclipse, using dry food items such as uncooked grain. Others advise doing Tarpan only after the eclipse. Because views differ, follow your family's custom. If it is hard to decide, a bath and a simple Tarpan after the eclipse is widely acceptable.

Gaya and other tirthas

A visit to Gaya is the most celebrated pilgrimage for ancestors. Some families do a Pind Daan there once, believing it to be a form of completion. Others continue the annual Shraddha at home. Both views are held, so ask your own elders and priest. See the guides to Gaya and the other places for ancestor rites.

A practical way to begin

If you are new to this, start with three things: the death anniversary of your parents, Pitru Paksha, and Amavasya Tarpan on the days you can manage. These can be built up slowly over years.