Pitru Paksha
2 minutes
Pitru Paksha, also referred to as Shradh Paksha, is a 16-day period in Hinduism dedicated to the worship of ancestors. According to belief, the souls of three generations of deceased ancestors reside in a transitional realm known as Pitrulok (Pitralok). During Pitru Paksha / Shradh Paksha, Yamaraj or Yama, the God of Death, releases these souls to visit their living relatives and accept offerings of gifts, food, and water. Pitru Paksha / Shradh Paksha is observed annually for fifteen days, during which people typically gather at the banks of rivers, including the sacred Ganges, to offer these provisions to their departed ancestors.
