Pitru Paksha 2025 | Date | Day | Rituals & | Significance

When does Pitru Paksha occur in 2025 & why is it observed? 

By Intimate Viewpoint

Introduction

What Is Pitru Paksha? Understanding Its Essence

Pitru Paksha—literally meaning “fortnight of the ancestors”—is a sacred lunar period observed in the Krishna Paksha (waning phase) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (or Ashwin, per regional traditions). It consists of 15–16 lunar days dedicated to rituals like Shraddha and Tarpan, aimed at paying homage to departed forebears. 

Suggest to read:

Vrats & Festivals, celebrated In September 2025

Shani Dev ji: Lord of Justice | In Hinduism

During this time, Hindus believe that the souls of ancestors descend to the earthly plane to receive offerings. Performing these rituals helps soothe ancestral spirits, alleviate Pitru Rin (ancestral debt), and bring spiritual blessings, peace, and prosperity to the living .

Pitru Paksha is traditionally considered inauspicious for starting new ventures like marriages or housewarming ceremonies .

Dates & Days: When Does It Occur in 2025?

In 2025, Pitru Paksha (Shraddha Paksha) begins on Sunday, September 7—which is the Purnima (full moon) tithi of Bhadrapada—and concludes on Sunday, September 21, culminating in Sarvapitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya) .

According to DrikPanchang, the detailed sequence of Ṭithis and corresponding days is as follows:

September 7, 2025 (Sunday) – Purnima Shraddha

September 8 (Monday) – Krishna Pratipada Shraddha

September 9 (Tuesday) – Krishna Dwitiya Shraddha

September 10 (Wednesday) – Krishna Tritiya/Chaturthi

September 11 (Thursday) – Krishna Panchami

September 12 (Friday) – Krishna Shashthi

September 13 (Saturday) – Krishna Saptami

September 14 (Sunday) – Krishna Ashtami

September 15 (Monday) – Krishna Navami

September 16 (Tuesday) – Krishna Dashami

September 17 (Wednesday) – Krishna Ekadashi

September 18 (Thursday) – Krishna Dwadashi

September 19 (Friday) – Krishna Trayodashi

September 20 (Saturday) – Krishna Chaturdashi

September 21 (Sunday) – Sarvapitri Amavasya 

Thus, the fortnight remains consistently between Sunday to Sunday, marking a seamless flow of days and rituals.

Rituals & Practices: Honoring the Departed

Core Rituals

Shraddha (श्रद्धा)

Offering food (e.g., rice, dal, kheer, fruits) to the departed souls.

Food is first offered to Brahmins, followed by crows, considered messengers of ancestors .

Tarpan (तर्पण)

A libation ritual using water mixed with black sesame seeds (til), rice, and sometimes ghee, recited with mantras for ancestral appeasement .

Pinda Daan (पिंडदान)

Offering rice balls (pindas) mixed with sesame and barley, often performed at sacred riverbanks—or at home—by the eldest son or designated “karta” of the family .

Daan (Charity)

Donating items like clothing, black sesame, jaggery, salt, umbrellas, and money to Brahmins or the poor—believed to yield special blessings during Pitru Paksha .

Regional and Cultural Variations

Gaya (Bihar): A revered site for Pitru Tarpan; pilgrims travel here for greater spiritual merit .

North India: Rituals often take place along riverbanks or in temples dedicated to ancestors .

Southern & Western India: Observed in the second half of Bhadrapada, following Ganesh Utsav .

Feeding Crows: Giving food to crows holds symbolic meaning since they are considered Pitrdutas (messengers for ancestors) .

Special Rules During Eclipse (2025)

In 2025, the start of Pitru Paksha coincides with a lunar eclipse (chandra grahan) on September 7, adding layers of ritual sensitivity. Special guidelines govern when and how Tarpan should be conducted during eclipse times .

Avoidances and Atonement

Certain actions are traditionally avoided during Pitru Paksha—such as marriages, festivities, or noisy celebrations—to maintain the sanctity of the period. Failing to observe these practices is believed to displease ancestors and disrupt blessings .

Cultural & Scriptural Significance

Mythological Roots

A powerful account comes from the Mahabharata, where Karna, upon entering heaven, realizes he wasn’t given proper ancestral offerings in life. He then descends to Earth for a period of 15 days to perform Shraddha and make amends—giving rise to the traditions of Pitru Paksha .

The Garuda Purana also underscores the spiritual necessity of these rites for freeing souls from cycles of rebirth and guiding them toward moksha (liberation) .

Scriptures like the Vedas, Puranas, and Yama Smriti highlight the significance of performing Shraddha during this period for familial, karmic, and spiritual harmony .

Spiritual & Ethical Underpinnings

Pitru Paksha reinforces the timeless principle of gratitude—an acknowledgment that our lives are rooted in generations past. It encourages values like filial piety, humility, and soulful remembrance, with the act of feeding beings and offering service as metaphors for nurturing the ancestral legacy. 

Summary Table: Pitru Paksha 2025

Aspect Details

Start Date & Day Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Purnima of Bhadrapada)

End Date & Day Sunday, September 21, 2025 (Sarvapitri Amavasya/Mahalaya Amavasya)

Duration 16 lunar days (Shraddha observances)

Key Rituals Shraddha, Tarpan, Pinda Daan, Charity, Crow Feeding

Significance Honoring ancestors, relieving Pitru Rin, inviting blessings

Regional Practices Gaya pilgrimages, riverbank ceremonies, regional customs

Scriptural Roots Mahabharata (Karna), Puranas, Vedas—nudging souls toward moksha

Eclipse Note Start coincides with lunar eclipse—ritual timings crucial

Taboos Avoid ceremonies like marriage, auspicious beginnings during period

Concluding Reflection

Pitru Paksha 2025 offers a solemn yet deeply rewarding window—from September 7 to 21—to honor ancestors, celebrate their enduring influence, and cultivate spiritual continuity. It’s a ritual journey that transcends time, blending ancient scripture with modern-day reverence.

The rituals—simple yet profound—invite us to pause, offer, and reflect. Whether performing Shraddha at home, traveling to Gaya, or quietly donating in memory of our forebears, each act is a thread in the tapestry of our lineage.

In honoring those who came before, we heal ancestral threads, free our hearts from debts unspoken, and channel their blessings into present and future generations. May this Pitru Paksha bring peace to their souls—and light to ours.