Pitru Paksha 2026 — Shradh Date Calendar

Last updated: 14 June 2026

⚡ Quick Facts

Pitru Paksha 2026: September 7–21, 2026
Mahalaya Amavasya: September 21, 2026 (most important)
Key rituals: Tarpan, Pinda Daan, Brahmin feast
Sacred locations: Gaya (Bihar), Prayagraj, Varanasi

Shradh Date Calendar 2026

Sep 7 (Sun)PurnimaShradh for ancestors who died on Purnima

Sep 8 (Mon)PratipadaAncestors who died on Pratipada

Sep 9 (Tue)DwitiyaAncestors who died on Dwitiya

Sep 10 (Wed)TritiyaTritiya Shradh + special for mothers

Sep 11 (Thu)ChaturthiAncestors who died on Chaturthi

Sep 12 (Fri)PanchamiPanchami Shradh + for married women

Sep 13 (Sat)ShashthiAncestors who died on Shashthi

Sep 14 (Sun)SaptamiAncestors who died on Saptami

Sep 15 (Mon)AshtamiAncestors who died on Ashtami

Sep 16 (Tue)NavamiNavami — special Shradh for mother and wife

Sep 17 (Wed)DashamiAncestors who died on Dashami

Sep 18 (Thu)EkadashiEkadashi Shradh + for ascetics/monks

Sep 19 (Fri)DwadashiAncestors who died on Dwadashi

Sep 20 (Sat)TrayodashiTrayodashi — Shradh for children and youth

Sep 21 (Sun)ChaturdashiChaturdashi — for those who died accidentally or in conflict

Sep 21 (Sun)Mahalaya Amavasya⭐ Sarva Pitru Amavasya — Shradh for ALL ancestors together

Tarpan Vidhi

Bathe in the morning and wear clean white or yellow clothes
Face South (direction of ancestors) and sit
Add water, black sesame, barley, and Kusha grass in a copper vessel
Take water in cupped palms, chant "Om [Name] Triptatu, Idam Tarpana"
Perform Tarpan for father, grandfather, great-grandfather in order
Also perform Tarpan for mother and maternal grandmother

Pinda Daan — Sacred Locations

🏛️ Gaya, Bihar

Supreme Pitru Tirtha. Pinda Daan at Vishnupad Temple grants Moksha to ancestors.

🌊 Prayagraj (Sangam)

Tarpan at the Triveni Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati yields thousandfold benefit.

🔱 Varanasi (Kashi)

Manikarnika Ghat and Pishachamochana Tirtha — Shradh in Kashi yields special merit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pitru Paksha?

Pitru Paksha is a 16-lunar-day period in the Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month dedicated to honouring ancestors (Pitru) through Shraddha and Tarpan. Performing these rites is believed to bring peace to departed souls and blessings to the family.

How do I know which Shraddh tithi to observe?

Shraddha is performed on the tithi (lunar day) on which the ancestor passed away. If the date is unknown, Sarva Pitru Amavasya — the final day of Pitru Paksha — is observed for all ancestors collectively.

What is offered during Shraddh and Tarpan?

Pind daan (rice balls), water mixed with black sesame, kusha grass and offerings to Brahmins, cows, crows and dogs are traditional. Food cooked for ancestors is offered with devotion before the family eats.

Updated for 2026

Independently reviewed for authenticity. Please verify meanings and rituals yourself before following.