Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh - 2nd October 2024

According to the Sanatana Dharma, performing Shradh for the ancestors in Pitru Paksha has special significance. According to the scriptures, the ancestors roam the earth these days. So that they can stay among their family members for 16 days and get satisfied by consuming food and water. Pitra Paksha ends on the Amavasya date of Ashwin month. This date is also known as Sarve Pitra Amavasya, Mahalaya Amavasya, or Pitra Moksha Amavasya.

What is Sarva PItra Shradh?

Sarva Pitru Amavasya also known as mahalya Amavasya, marks the final and most important day of the Pitra Paksha, a period dedicated to honoring ancestors in Hindu tradition. According to religious beliefs, the Shradh performed on Amavasya Tithi pleases the souls of all the ancestors of the family. Therefore Shradh should be performed for all the ancestors on this day. On this day there is a provision of Shradh for all known and unknown ancestors; those who do not remember the date of death of their relatives can also perform Tarpan and Shradh for their ancestors on this day. According to religious belief performing Shradh for ancestors on this day brings mental peace, and happiness and prosperity.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh Ritual Time:

• 2nd October 2024, Wednesday,

• Kutup Muhurat: 11:46 AM to 12:34 PM
• Rohini Muhurta: 12:34 PM to 1:21 PM
• Afternoon time: 1:21 PM to 3:43 PM

Importance of Sarva Pitru Amavasya: 

1. Honoring Ancestors: During Pitra Paksha it is believed that ancestors visit the Earth. Performing rituals on Sarva Pitru Amavasya helps ensure their souls find peace and move forward in the afterlife.
2. Karmic cleansing: Ancestors’ unresolved issues can impact their descendants. Through rituals, these karmic debts (Pitra Rina) are balanced, helping resolve ancestral issues.
3. Seeking blessings: Satisfied ancestors bless their families with prosperity, peace, and growth when honored properly.
4. Relief from Pitra Dosha: it is for Pitra Dosha which occurs when ancestors are displeased causing difficulties in the family.
5. Spiritual connection: Performing this ritual fosters a deep connection to one’s roots strengthening spiritual continuity and personal growth.

Remedies and Ritual for Sarva Pitru Amavasya:

1. Tarpan: Offer water mixed with sesame seeds, barley, and at a river or sacred water body to appease ancestors’ souls.
2. Shradh Puja: Prepare special dishes that the deceased loved and offer them to Brahmins, crows, dogs, or cows as a symbolic offering to ancestors.
3. Pind Daan: rice and barley flour balls (pindas) are offered to help ancestors let go of worldly ties and find spiritual freedom.
4. Feeding the needy: Charity in the form of food and donation is believed to help resolve ancestral issues and bring their blessings.
5. Reciting Mantras: Chanting mantras like the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra or Gayatri Mantra helps bring peace to the souls of the deceased.
6. Lighting a diya: Lighting a lamp for ancestors helps guide their souls toward peace and salvation.
7. Donation: Offering essentials like clothes, food, and money in the name of ancestors can clear family.
8. Offering to crows: Crows are seen as messengers of ancestors and feeding them is considered a symbolic way to pass offerings to the departed.
9. Pitra Bhoj: Hosting a feast for Brahmins and offering rice, ghee, and sweets is an important practice to honor the ancestors.

Astrological Significance:

1. People suffering from Pitra Dosha (ancestral curse) may experience issues like financial troubles, marriage delays, and health challenges. Performing Shradh rituals on Sarva Pitru Amavasya can help alleviate these effects.
2. For those with Kaal Sarp Dosha or other ancestral related astrological challenges special remedies on this day are believed to bring relief.