AstrologgerPitru Paksha (Shraddha)
26 September – 10 October 2026
2026 dates are good-faith estimates from standard panchang references — confirm the exact date and muhurat against a current Panchang before planning.
Significance
A 16-day lunar period for honouring ancestors through Shraddha and Tarpan, from Bhadrapada Purnima to the Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya). New auspicious purchases and celebrations are traditionally deferred during this time.
Astrological significance
Pitru Paksha covers the Krishna Paksha (waning fortnight) leading into Ashwin, when tradition holds that ancestors are remembered through Shraddha rites. The date on which a person performs Shraddha matches the tithi of their ancestor's passing, which is why the period is tracked by tithi rather than a fixed Gregorian day. Being a lunar observance, the window shifts each year — confirm the tithi calendar against a current panchang.
Month: Ashwin · Paksha: Krishna · Runs from Purnima Shraddha on 26 September 2026 to Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) on 10 October 2026 — 16 tithis. Each day corresponds to the tithi on which an ancestor passed.
How Pitru Paksha (Shraddha) is observed
- Daily Tarpan (water offerings) to ancestors
- Shraddha on the tithi matching an ancestor's passing
- Feeding brahmins, the needy, cows, crows and dogs (pind daan at Gaya, Varanasi, Prayagraj)
- New purchases and celebrations usually deferred until after Amavasya
Frequently asked questions
When is Pitru Paksha in 2026?+
Pitru Paksha 2026 begins on 26 September (Purnima Shraddha) and ends on 10 October (Sarva Pitru Amavasya / Mahalaya) — a 16-day period. Confirm daily tithis against a current panchang.
What is Sarva Pitru Amavasya?+
Sarva Pitru Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya), on 10 October 2026, is the final day of Pitru Paksha. It is used to perform Shraddha for all ancestors, including those whose passing tithi is unknown.
Why are new purchases avoided during Pitru Paksha?+
By tradition, Pitru Paksha is a period of remembrance rather than celebration, so many families defer new purchases, housewarmings and weddings until it ends. This is a customary preference, not a rule that applies to everyone.