Shradh 2023: A Guide to Dates, Timings, Rituals, and Significance!

Hindus all across the world are getting ready for Shradh 2023, also known as Shraddha Paksha. The two weeks of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, also known as Bhadon, contain this auspicious period. Hindus will have the chance to honor their ancestors and show respect for their deceased loved ones during this time, which will start on September 29 and finish on October 14, 2023. This time is known as Pitru Paksha.

Shradh 2023: Start Date

Pitru Paksha rites are performed over the course of fifteen days and include spiritual ceremonies and food offerings to the deceased. Hindus place great importance of religious significance on Pitru Paksha because, over these 16 days, the only purpose is to honor one’s ancestors.

Shradh days are regarded as the most important time of the year since it is when people honor their ancestors and offer food through priests or brahmins. Shraddh Paksha, another name for Pitru Paksha, is scheduled to begin on Bhadrapada Purnima Tithi, particularly on September 29, 2023, in accordance with the Drik Panchang.

Shradh 2023: Time

Shradh 2023 has already started on September 29 on Friday. It started on September 30 with Purnima Shraddha (the full moon) and ended on Pratipada Shraddha (the first day). On September 29, Bhadrapada Purnima will last until 3:26 PM, at which point the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin month will begin. According to the Drik Panchang (Hindu calendar), this signifies the beginning of Pratipada Shraddha at 12:21 p.m. on September 30.

Shradh Paksha Start Date and Time

• Purnima Tithi Begins – September 28, 2023 -06:49 PM
• Purnima Tithi Ends – September 29, 2023 – 03:26 PM

Shradh Paksha End Date and Time

• Amavasya Tithi Begins – October 14, 2023 – 04:48 AM
• Amavasya Tithi Ends – October 15, 2023 – 07:09 AM

Shradh Dates 2023 

Below we have mentioned the Shradh 2023 start date and end date.

• Purnima Shraddha: 29 September 2023, Friday, (Bhadrapada, Shukla Purnima)
• Pratipada Shraddha: 29 September 2023, Friday, (Ashwin, Krishna Pratipada)
• Dwitiya Shraddha: 30 September 2023, Saturday, (Ashwin, Krishna Dwitiya)
• Tritiya Shraddha: 01 October 2023, Sunday, (Ashwin, Krishna Tritiya)
• Chaturthi Shraddha: 02 October 2023, Monday, (Ashwin, Krishna Chaturthi)
• Panchami Shraddha: 03 October 2023, Tuesday, (Ashwin, Krishna Panchami)
• Shashthi Shraddha: 04 October 2023, Wednesday, (Ashwin, Krishna Shashthi)
• Saptami Shraddha: 05 October 2023, Thursday, (Ashwin, Krishna Saptami)
• Ashtami Shraddha: 06 October 2023, Friday, (Ashwin, Krishna Ashtami)
• Navami Shraddha: 07 October 2023, Saturday, (Ashwin, Krishna Navami)
• Dashami Shraddha: 08 October 2023, Sunday, (Ashwin, Krishna Dashami)
• Ekadashi Shraddha: 09 October 2023, Monday, (Ashwin, Krishna Ekadashi)
• Magha Shraddha: October 10, 2023, Tuesday, (Ashwin, Magha Nakshatra)
• Dwadashi Shraddha: 11 October 2023, Wednesday, (Ashwin, Krishna Dwadashi)
• Trayodashi Shraddha: October 12, 2023, Thursday, (Ashwin, Krishna Trayodashi)
• Chaturdashi Shraddha: 13 October 2023, Friday, (Ashwin, Krishna Chaturdashi)

Shradh 2023: Significance

It is said that after Karn passed away during the Mahabharata battle, his soul journey to heaven was met with an unusual circumstance: he wasn’t given the traditional food. Instead, money and jewelry were offered to Karn as food. Lord Indra, the lord of the sky, was questioned by his anxious soul about the lack of real nourishment.

It was then that the exact reason for Lord Indra’s choice of not offering these necessities to his ancestors while he was still living became clear. Karna explained his situation to Lord Indra, who then gave him permission to come back to Earth for a 15-day period so he could feed his forefathers.

Shradh Paksha 2023 is extremely important among Hindus. 16 lengthy days are dedicated to observing Shradh Paksha. People worship their ancestors and forefathers because of these 16 days. Pitra Puja, Pitra Tarpan, and Pind Daan rituals are now regarded as being extremely meritorious pitru paksha shradh rituals and those who engage in these activities get by removing Pitru Dosha and by engaging in these acts that help their forefathers break the cycle of overcoming birth, death, and find salvation.

We must take a break from some particular activities during these 16 days of Pitru Paksha, which are the most sacred days of the year since they are forbidden and unlucky to perform. So let’s look at some of the things individuals should refrain from doing right now and some alternatives.

Shradh 2023: Do’s and Don’t

• Each day, one has to perform shradh by giving food and clothing to a Brahmin.
• During these days, buying clothing and footwear is not permitted.
• When doing Pind Daan at Gaya Ji, Ujjain, or other locations suggested for Pitra Disha Nivarana puja, those with Pitra Dosha in their horoscopes must do so.
• People must invite a priest or Brahmin who has the skills of performing Pitra Tarpan and eating the meal at home.
• Feeding cows, birds, dogs, and ants is very auspicious.
• It is forbidden to plan auspicious occasions like weddings, engagements, and roka ceremonies.
• Participating in tamasik activities is unlucky.
• Avoid consuming meat, eggs, onion, and garlic throughout these days.
• Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited.
• Avoid purchasing a new car and home.
• Avoid doing Girha Pravesh on these days.
• It is not advisable to go to prominent temples.
• Purchasing gold, silver, or synthetic jewelry is unlucky.
• During these days, remain celibate.
• People should avoid getting their hair or nails trimmed, or shaving.

How to Perform Shradh in Pitru Paksha 2023?

• According to the lunar calendar, rites are carried out during Shraad on the tithi when the ancestor passes away.
• Those who are performing the puja, the person should wake up early and take a bath.
• A person who is performing puja is required to wear rings made of darbha grass.
• As you sit in the place of worship, check to see that everything is quiet and peaceful.
• Follow this by calling upon your ancestors.
• On this day, special meals are made using a satvik cuisine. The ants, dogs, crows, cows, and dogs are then fed this meal.
• By putting the food on the havan kunda’s fire, it is also presented to the ancestors.
• This dish is often provided to Brahmins along with Dakshina.
• Join hands, pray for the ancestors’ blessings, and ask for their blessings.
• During this season, it is claimed that charitable deeds are richly rewarded.

Practices Related to Pitru Paksha 2023

Families gather over the course of this event to pay tribute to their ancestors by observing specific routines. This helps the departed’s souls to find peace in the hereafter. Let us look at what these rites entailed for pitru paksha 2023.

• The person who conducts the ceremonies is referred to as karta in the scriptures. This individual must be the family’s eldest son; if not, a man from the father’s side of the family fills in rituals. If no male family member is present, the eldest daughter may execute the ceremonies on the matamata.
• In exchange for their blessings, Brahmins are given things to eat and drink. During these Pitru Paksha dates and times, brahmins invite guests into their houses for bhoj.
• Pind Daan is another ceremony that is essential for carrying out the deceased’s last rites. Hinduism states that Some people think that even after passing away, their spirit might still be imprisoned in the physical realm because of an emotional connection. Thus, this rite is carried out to set the soul free and aid in its redemption.
• Devotees from all across the nation travel to Gaya’s riverside to offer Pinda to their ancestors.
• The Karta takes the names of all three generations of ancestors on Sarvapitri Amavasya. In all of human history, ritual has been considered crucial to strengthening family ties.

Shradh 2023 Or Pitru Paksha 2023: Pitru Paksha Shradh Rituals And Activities

• Vishwadeva Sthapana: The Shradh Puja that begins with Vishwadeva Sthapana should be performed by an experienced priest. Ensure that the Puja asan is made from silk, wool, a blanket, wood, grass, and other plants. Since iron upsets the Pitras, it shouldn’t be utilized for Puja asan. For the Shradh Puja, use cow’s milk, curd, ghee, barley, peas, mustard, sesame, and millet.
• Pind Daan: The round, ball-shaped objects made of rice, barley, cow’s milk, ghee, sugar, and honey are to be worshipped and presented to the spirits of the deceased while being scented with holy basil.
• Tarpan: When served to the ancestors, water flavored with sesame, barley, kush grass, and white flour satisfies and gratifies their souls.
• Offerings to Brahmins, Animals, And Birds: Offerings to devout Brahmins, animals, and birds are a blessing for the dead since they receive nourishment through the Brahmins. Additionally, appeasing the ancestors involves feeding animals, particularly cows, chapatti, sugar, curd, and tulsi leaves. Shadh Puja has positive effects when food is given to birds like crows.
• Donations: During Pitru Paksha, particularly on the last day known as Mahalaya Amavasya day, donations in the form of cash, clothing, and other necessities are offered to Brahmins, and the needy people are considered lucky.