Pitru paksha 2020 – Praying the Ancestors
Pitru Paksha (Shraadh 2020 dates) also known as Shraaddha or Kanagat start with Purnima Shraddha, ends after 16 days on Sarva Pitru Amavasya which is also known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. Hindus pay homage to their ancestor (Pitrs), especially through food offerings. This year it starts from September 2 till September 17.
Hindu Dharma and Pitru Paksha
Hindus are bound by their Dharma, or religion, to pray for the souls of their ancestors. It’s a debt they must pay to stay happy. During Pitru Paksha or Shraadh, a 16-lunar-day period in the Hindu calendar which starts this year on September 1, people offer prayers, food and water to their ancestors.
Hindus believe that the departed wander in a realm between heaven and earth (‘Pitru Lok’). Here, they are restless and still attached to worldliness (‘Maya’). The prayers and ritual offerings during Pitru Paksha free the souls and help them transition towards ‘Brahmaloka’ or heaven.
Pitru Paksha Shraddha Dates 2020
2 September 2020: Purnima Shraddha
3 September 2020: Ekam Shraddha
4 September 2020: Dwithiya Shraddha
5 September 2020: Thrithiya Shraddha
6 September 2020: Chathurti Shraddha
7 September 2020: Panchami Shraddha
8 September 2020: Shashti Shraddha
9 September 2020: Saptami Shraddha
10 September 2020: Astami Shraddha
11 September 2020: Navami Shraddha
12 September 2020: Dasami Shraddha
13 September 2020: Ekadasi Shraddha
14 September 2020: Dwadasi Shraddha
15 September 2020: Trayodasi Shraddha
16 September 2020: Chathurdasi Shraddha
17 September 2020: Amavasa Shraddha
History of Pitru Paksha
Shraddha in Pitru Paksha is the time to remember, thank and honor our ancestors. It is believed that during the time of Shraddh, ancestors come to earth to bless their kin. The relevance of Shradh can be best known from one of the greatest epic of all time Mahabharata Pitru paksha 2020.
Post the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, when everything ended, Karan (Danveer Karna, brave warrior, one of the greatest legends in the war of Mahabharata) died and reached heaven, he was offered food in the form of gold, silver and jewels. On this, he questioned Indra (the lord of heaven) the reason for offering him such a food. On this, Indra told Karna that throughout his life donated gold, diamond and silver, but, never donated any food in the name of his ancestors. Karna reverted that as he was not aware about his ancestors; hence, he never did it. So, Indra asked Karna to come back to earth, where he donated food, made Tarpan during the sixteen days.
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