Pratipada Shradh 2023 Date, Padwa Shradha
What is Pitru Paksh Shradha
The sixteen day period stretching from the Purnima to the Amavasya during the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of moon) in the month of Bhadrapada is popularly called as Pitru Paksha in Hinduism. This is considered highly auspicious to perform the Shradh ceremonies of the ancestors who died during the respective tithi.
Pratipada Shradh
Pratipada is the first day of the Pitru Paksha. Pratipada Shraddha also known as Padwa Shraddha is observed on ‘pratipada tithi’ (1st day) during the ‘Krishna Paksha’ in the ‘Bhadrapada’ month of the Hindu calendar. However as per the Purnimant Calendar, it falls in the month of ‘Ashwin’ and in the Gregorian calendar it falls in the months of September-October. Pratipada Shraddha is the first day of the Pitru Paksha (the fortnight period dedicated to ancestors) that ends with ‘Mahalaya Shraddha’. Pratipada Shraddha is done for those deceased family members who died on Pratipada Tithi or Padyami tithi, including both Shukla and Krishna Paksha Pratipada.
Pratipada Shraddha Tithi is also considered suitable to perform Shraddha for maternal grandfather and grandmother (known as Nana-Nani). If there is no person to perform Shraddha at maternal home then doing Shraddha on this Tithi appeases souls of maternal grandparents. Even if death anniversary of maternal grandparents are not known then also Shradh can be done on this Tithi. It is believed that performing this Shradha brings happiness and prosperity at the home.
Pitru Paksha Shraddhas are Parvan Shraddhas (पार्वण श्राद्ध) and auspicious time to perform them is either Kutup Muhurat and Rohina etc. Muhurat after that till Aparahna Kala gets over. Tarpan (तर्पण) is done at the end of the Shraddha.
In Hindus, customarily Shraddha are performed by only sons not daughters but it is allowed for son of a daughter to perform last rites of his mother’s parents i.e. nana-nani.
Rituals during Pratipada Shraddha:
Pratipada Shraddha rituals involve offering tarpan to the dead members of the family. It is a way of paying homage to one’s ancestors. All the rituals must be performed by the eldest male of the family.
After the tarpan ritual, pind-daan is performed and the offerings are either given to a cow or immersed in a river.
Pratipada Shraddha rituals are done during the suitable time so that the prasad can be eaten during the ‘Aparahna’ or afternoon time. After the completion of all the rituals, the prepared food is first offered to a Brahmin and later eaten with all family members. Charity is also done on Pratipada Shraddha for the deceased family member who died on the ‘pratipada tithi’. On Pratipada Shraddha some people even observe a fast. On all days of Pitru Paksha period, eating non-vegetarian food and drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited. Some people even do not shave or cut hair during this time.
Significance of Pratipada Shraddha:
Shradh is an important ritual that is observed in Hinduism for the dead ancestors. The details of all the Shraddha rituals are mentioned in several religious scriptures like ‘Matsya Purana’, ‘Garuda Purana’ and ‘Agni Purana’ to name a few. The tarpan and pind-daan rituals are done to offer peace to the deceased people. Shradh performed during this period is said to be highly beneficial in giving manifold blessings to the individuals and their families. It offers liberation from the cycle of birth and death, resulting in salvation. Kashi, Gaya, Prayag Sangam, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Rameshwaram are important pilgrimage places for performing the Pratipada Shraddha. The Pratipada Shraddha can be performed for maternal parents who are without any male offspring, irrespective of the ‘tithi’ or day in which the person died. This day like all other days of Pitru Paksha is considered to be inauspicious. It is believed that by observing the Pratipada Shraddha rituals bring prosperity and happiness at home. Tarpan is offered with til seeds and other materials at the end of Shradh. Since Shradh ceremonies are compulsory to Hindus, no one can overlook them.
Pratipada Shradh Ritual Timings
Pratipada Shradh 2023 Date - Friday, September 29, 2023
Pratipada Shraadh Kutup (कुतुप) Muhurat - 11:47 AM to 12:35 PM
Duration - 00 Hours 48 Mins
Pratipada Shradh Rohina (रौहिण) Muhurat - 12:35 PM to 01:23 PM
Duration - 00 Hours 48 Mins
Pratipada Shradha Aparahna (अपराह्न) Kaal - 01:23 PM to 03:46 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 23 Mins
Pratipada Tithi Begins - 03:26 PM on Sep 29, 2023
Pratipada Tithi Ends - 12:21 PM on Sep 30, 2023
