Timeless tales: Doing ‘shraadh’ with ‘shraddha’

Shraadh is performed to pay homage to our ancestors and pray for their peace wherever they are.

Written by Priya S Tandon

Chandigarh | Updated: August 31, 2025 04:58 PM IST

The scriptures also advise placing some kheer under a Banyan or Peepal tree. (Express Photo)

If your parents are no more, do you miss them? Do you wish you had said or done more for them? After our parents and grandparents pass on to higher realms, we are often left with mixed emotions – gratitude for all they did or remorse for what we couldn’t do while they were alive. There may be reverence and beatitude, or grudges and misgivings. Yet, the very fact that we are born human is reason enough to offer gratitude. In Hindu mythology, human birth is precious because it is the vehicle that can take us across the ocean of Bhavsagar (the ocean of life) to attain moksha (salvation). The physical body given to us by our parents is a great gift – and the opportunity to express gratitude comes during Pitr-Paksh or the shraadh period.

Our forefathers who reside in higher realms and have not yet been reborn are believed to visit Bhu-Lok (Earth) during the days of shraadh. The scriptures say we should offer them a meal during Pitr-Paksh. How do we do this? The simplest way is to place water, milk, flowers, black sesame seeds, rice, and barley (jow) in a pitcher of water and offer it while facing south. If we do this with shraddha (reverence), taking their names and gotra, that is considered sufficient as shraadh-tarpan.

We may also feed a Brahmin with the feeling that we are feeding our ancestors. The offering is believed to reach them in a subtle form. I often wondered how this worked. If the meal offered to the Brahmin reaches them, how come they eat only once a year? What do they eat on other days?

I now understand that one year on Earth equals one day in Pitr-Lok. The earthly year starts in March-April when the new Samvatsara begins. So Pitr-Paksh, which falls in September-October, is like midday for our pitrs (ancestors). This is when they receive their one symbolic meal. The day of an ancestor’s passing, as per the lunar calendar, determines their shraadh day. If the exact date is unknown, it can be performed on the last day – Sarv-Pitri Amavasya. Feeding a Brahmin during shraadh is considered equivalent to feeding ancestors.

The scriptures also advise placing some kheer under a Banyan or Peepal tree. Interestingly, the kheer is usually eaten by crows. These birds also eat the fruits of the Peepal and Banyan trees. Wherever the crows drop undigested seeds, new saplings grow. The Peepal tree emits oxygen even at night, while the Banyan has numerous medicinal properties. This practice, designed by the Rishis, was an ingenious way to propagate these valuable trees.

In 2025, Pitr-Paksh begins on Purnima, September 7. The first shraadh falls on September 8, and the last on Sarv-Pitri Amavasya, September 22.

Shraadh is performed to pay homage to our ancestors and pray for their peace wherever they are. In return, they bless us. During these days, no auspicious ceremonies such as weddings, mundan, or griha pravesh are performed, as the period is dedicated to our forefathers.

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Find time to honour the memory of those who made you, in more ways than one. And while you do this, involve your children. They will learn from your example, and the tradition will live on even after you are gone.

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