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Pitru Paksha 2026 Start Date and End Date with Shraddh Calendar and How to Choose Your Tithi
Sep
Pitru Paksha 2026 Shraddh Calendar and How to Choose Your Tithi
Discover the exact pitru paksha 2026 start date and end date alongside a complete day-by-day Shraddh calendar. Learn how to choose your Tithi and honor ancestors with custom photo keepsakes.
Pitru Paksha is a sacred 16-day period in the Hindu lunar calendar dedicated to honoring, remembering, and offering prayers to our ancestors. Knowing the precise timing for your family’s annual rituals allows you to perform Tarpan and Pind Daan with full devotion.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Start Date and End Date: Key Calendar Overview
The pitru paksha 2026 start date and end date begins with Purnima Shraddh on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and concludes on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with Sarva Pitru Amavasya.
When planning your family rituals, knowing when does pitru paksha start and end in 2026 helps you organize family gatherings, priest bookings, and memorial preparations smoothly.
Shraddh Tithi
Gregorian Date (2026) / Day
Significance & Special Observances
Purnima Shraddh
September 26 Saturday
For those who passed away on a Purnima Tithi.
Pratipada Shraddh
September 27 Sunday
First official day of Pitru Paksha (Krishna Paksha).
Dwitiya Shraddh
September 28 Monday
Rituals for ancestors who passed on Dwitiya.
Tritiya Shraddh
September 29 Tuesday
Offerings for ancestors who departed on Tritiya.
Chaturthi & Panchami Shraddh
September 30 Wednesday
Combined tithis depending on local panchang.
Shasthi Shraddh
October 1 Thursday
Sixth lunar day observances.
Saptami Shraddh
October 2 Friday
Seventh lunar day observances.
Ashtami Shraddh
October 3 Saturday
Eighth lunar day rituals.
Navami (Avidhava Navami)
October 4 Sunday
Dedicated to mothers and women who died before their husbands.
Dashami Shraddh
October 5 Monday
Tenth lunar day observances.
Ekadashi Shraddh
October 6 Tuesday
Auspicious day for Vaishnava ancestors.
Dwadashi Shraddh
October 7 Wednesday
For those who took Sanyasa or passed on Dwadashi.
Trayodashi (Maha Bharani)
October 8 Thursday
Potent time for ancestral peace under Bharani Nakshatra.
Chaturdashi Shraddh
October 9 Friday
Reserved for souls lost to accidental or unnatural causes.
Sarva Pitru Amavasya
October 10 Saturday
Universal day for all known and unknown ancestors.
How to Choose Shradh Tithi for Deceased Parents and Ancestors
Determining the correct day is crucial for performing meaningful Vedic rituals. If you are wondering how to choose shradh tithi for deceased parents, keep these guidelines in mind:
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Death Tithi, Not Gregorian Date: Choose the lunar day (Tithi) on which your ancestor passed away, rather than the English calendar date.
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Fortnight Variations: Whether your parent passed away during Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) or Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight), their Shraddh during Pitru Paksha is always performed on the corresponding Tithi during this 16-day period.
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Mother’s Tithi (Navami): If you are performing Shraddh for your mother or grandmother, Avidhava Navami (Matru Navami) on October 4, 2026, is considered highly beneficial.
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Unknown or Forgotten Dates: If you do not remember the exact date, performing rituals on Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 (October 10) fulfills all ancestral duties.
Vedic Timing: Finding the Best Time for Tarpan Ritual During Pitru Paksha 2026
Performing Tarpan at the correct time ensures maximum spiritual benefit. The best time for tarpan ritual during pitru paksha 2026 falls during the Aparahna Kaal (afternoon period).
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Kutup Muhurat: ~11:44 AM to 12:32 PM (Ideal for starting prayers)
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Rohina Muhurat: ~12:32 PM to 01:20 PM (Auspicious for offering food and Pind Daan)
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Aparahna Kaal: ~01:20 PM to 03:45 PM (The primary recommended window for Pitru Karma)
Adhering to correct tarpan vidhi rules and performing offerings during the proper pind daan muhurat repays pitru rina (ancestral debt) and brings harmony to the family household.
Honoring Sacred Memories: Personalizing Ancestral Remembrance with WhatsYourPrint
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A: The pitru paksha 2026 start date and end date spans from September 26, 2026 (Purnima Shraddh) to October 10, 2026 (Sarva Pitru Amavasya).
A: You can perform the Shraddh rituals on Mahalaya Amavasya 2026 (October 10, 2026). This day, also known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya, is dedicated to all departed souls regardless of their specific death date.
A: The afternoon period, specifically during Kutup Muhurat, Rohina Muhurat, and Aparahna Kaal (roughly between 11:44 AM and 3:45 PM), is the scriptures-recommended time for ancestral offerings.
A: Yes, family members can participate in prayers, food offerings, and charity. Avidhava Navami (October 4, 2026) is specially dedicated to honoring departed mothers and married women.
A: You can digitize old physical photographs and print them using high-grade photo displays, such as a custom Collage Photo Frame for gifting or archival-quality wall frames available through WhatsYourPrint.
The core observances consist of Tarpan (offering water combined with black sesame seeds), Kagwal (giving food to animals such as cows, dogs, and crows), hosting Brahmins for meals, making charitable contributions of clothes and food, and performing Pind Daan (offering rice balls to appease ancestors).
Gaya stands out as the ultimate pilgrimage site for conclusive Pind Daan rites. Other highly revered destinations where thousands gather include Varanasi (Kashi), Prayagraj (at the Triveni Sangam), and Haridwar.
Marking the final day of Pitru Paksha on October 10, 2026, Sarva Pitri Amavasya is the most vital date of the fortnight. Offerings made on this day reach all ancestors, making it the ideal time for families who are unsure of the specific lunar date (tithi) of their relative’s passing to perform rituals.
Tarpan is the simple daily act of offering water mixed with black sesame seeds (til) to honor departed souls. Performed each morning after bathing throughout the fortnight, it is the most accessible ritual—requiring only water, sesame seeds, and mindful remembrance of your forefathers.
No. If the first annual death anniversary (Varshik Shradh or Barsi) has not yet taken place, regular Pitru Paksha offerings are skipped. The family should instead continue fulfilling the mandatory monthly Shradh rites until the full year is complete.
Pitru Paksha 2026 commences on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and concludes two weeks later on Saturday, October 10, 2026, with Sarva Pitri Amavasya (Mahalaya Amavasya).
Yes. If you cannot travel to pilgrimage sites or conduct the ceremonies in person, virtual Pind Daan services are available. By providing your family’s gotra and the names of your ancestors, priests in holy cities like Varanasi will complete the Shradh and Pind Daan rites on your behalf and share confirmation upon completion.
Rituals should align with the specific tithi (lunar day) on which the family member passed away. If you do not know the exact lunar date, you can conduct the rites on Sarva Pitri Amavasya (October 10, 2026), which covers all ancestors.
