PitruPaksha also called Pitrapaksha, translates to the fortnight of the ancestors is a fortnight period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors by offering food.
It all started with King Karna from Mahabharata. He was a very pious man and was deeply involved in charity. After his death, in his afterlife he was offered food made of precious gems and metals, when enquired he was informed that because he always donated gems and jewelery and other precious things to the poor and never food he will be given food made of those metals. Karnarealized his mistake and so Gods decided that Karna will be allowed to get back to earth for sixteen days and feed the poor and the needy.
Traditionally pitrupaksha or shraddh is a custom that is followed by the Hindus on a regular basis. It is said that if you fail to offer water and food to the ancestors in the pitrupaksha then in the afterlife you will also remain without food and water.
These sixteen days when king Karna was on Earth were called the pitrupaksha. These days are considered very inauspicious and no new activity or a good task is done on these days. The Hindus offer prayers and food to the ancestors in this time. This ensures that the pitrudosha is done away with. It also ensures that the entire family is blessed. The pitrupaksha is followed only by the male members of the family.
It is believed that it is during this 16 days period that one’s ancestors come down to earth to bless their kin. Tarpan, Shraddha and PindDaan are performed in order to please them. Performing these rituals is also important because it helps one’s ancestors cross over to their fated realms.
By: Archa Dave
