Know the date of Shraddha first and simple method of performing Shraddha at home:

News India Live, Digital Desk: The 16 -day Mahalaya dedicated to the fathers, ie Pitra Paksha, is starting from September 18 this year. This time is to express gratitude to our ancestors and pray for the peace of their soul. The first day of Pitra Paksha is Pratipada Shraddha, which is also called ‘Padwa Shraddha’.

When is Pratipada Shraddha? (Date and auspicious time)

According to the Hindu calendar, this year the Pratipada date of Krishna Paksha of Ashwin month is on September 18, 2025. Therefore, the first Shraddha will be done on this day. The best time to perform Shraddha is considered to be Kutup Muhurta, Rauhin Muhurta or afternoon period (afternoon).

• Qutup Muhurta: 11:56 am to 12:44 pm in the morning
• Rauhin Muhurta: 12:44 pm to 01:33 pm
• Innovation time: 01:33 pm to 03:59 pm

Who is done Pratipada Shraddha?

On Pratipada Tithi, Shraddha is performed of those who died on the Pratipada date of Shukla Paksha or Krishna Paksha. Apart from this, if there is no male member in the family of Nana-Nani and the date of his death is also not known, then his Shraddha is also done on this day.

Simple method of performing Shraddha at home:

Even if you are not able to call a pundit, you can still perform Shraddha of your ancestors with a very simple method at home.

1. Morning preparation: On the day of Shraddha, get up early in the morning and take a bath and wear clean clothes. Prepare a sattvic food of onion-garlic (such as kheer, puri, vegetable).
2. Offer: In the afternoon, sit facing south direction. Add water, some black sesame, barley and kusha (a type of grass) to a vessel. Now, while meditating on your fathers, let that water slowly fall into another vessel with your thumb. This is called Tarpan.
3. Pindadan: Make a ball by kneading barley or rice flour, which is called body. Offer this body to the ancestors.
4. Offer Panchbali Bhog: Remove five different parts from a leaf from the food made. These five parts are for cows, dogs, crows, gods (offering in fire) and ant. This is called ‘Panchbali’.
5. Give food to the Brahmin: After this, provide food respectfully to a Brahmin or a needy person and pay obeisance by giving donations according to your ability.

If a Brahmin or no needy person cannot find, then you can take out a part of the food and feed the cow. This simple deeds done with reverence and true heart also provide satisfaction and peace to the ancestors.