Dwadashi Shradh 2023 Date, Baras Shraddha
What is Pitru Paksh Shradha?
Every month has significant importance in Hinduism. Pitru Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha is the most favorable season for doing ancestor shradh rites. From Purnima to Amavasya in the month of Bhadrapada (August - September), this period lasts sixteen days. During this time, shradh for the ancestors can be conducted on the tithis in which they died, regardless of the month or paksha in which they died. During this time, all of the ancestors in the pitru lok are said to visit their offspring on Earth to take their offerings through shradh and tarpan.
What is Dwadashi Shradha?
The twelfth day of Pitru Paksh Shraddha is Dwadashi Shradh. Dwadashi Shradha is performed during Pitru Paksha to honor ancestors who died on Dwadashi tithi, which includes both Krishna and Shukla Paksh Dwadashi. Shradh is also conducted on this day for those who died after accepting sanyasa (renunciation). As a result, this is a good day to do Shradh rituals for Yathis, or those from the community of Saints, Sadhus, Sanyasis, Rishis, and so on. On this day, holy persons involved in the authoring, compiling, and structuring of Hindu texts are presented tharpan, pinda daan, and other shradh ceremonies.
Dwadashi Shraddha, also known as Baras Shraddha, Yathi Mahalaya, Sanyasi Shraddh, Yateenam Mahalayam, Yathi Dwadshi Shraddha, falls on Krishna Paksh Dwadshi of Ashwin month in North Indian Calendar and Bhadrapad month in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka Amavasya Panchangam. Pitri Paksha or Mahalaya Shraddhas are Parvan Shraddhas(पार्वणश्राद्ध), and their auspicious times are Kutup Muhurt and Rohina Muhurt. It might be done till Aparahna Kala (Post Meridian) is completed.
Tarpan (तर्पण) might be done at the conclusion of the Shraddha.
Importance of Pitru Paksha Shradh / Dwadashi Shraddha
There are various reasons why Hindu scriptures place such emphasis on the Pitru Paksha shradh.
Hinduism holds that there is life after death. After departing the earth, spirits join the ancestral world (Pitru lok) and dwell for up to three generations. During the Pitru Paksha time, the deceased ancestors visit their offspring on earth to accept the shradh and tarpan sacrifices. As a result, doing shradh around this time is extremely auspicious.
Apart from holy places such as Varanasi, Gaya, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Allahabad Prayag Sangam, Ramagiri near Surattpalli, Devar Malai near Karur, Thakkolam near Chennai, and Ootathoor are considered auspicious for Dwadshi Shradh or Yathi Dwadshi Shradha rituals.
Rituals of Dwadshi Shraddha:
The individual doing the shraddhas must bathe and wear clean garments, particularly a dhoti and a holy thread.
The performer wears a durva grass ring.
The rites entail several alterations to the holy thread.
Pinda Daan is performed when pindas are offered to the ancestors.
On this day, Sri Vishnu and Sri Yama are worshiped.
Food is fed to cows, crows, dogs, and ants.
On this occasion, Brahmans are given Dakshina and food, as well as some charity and money.
Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita are recited with full family.
Dwadashi Shradh Ritual Timings
Dwadashi Shradh 2023 Date - Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Dwadashi Shraadh Kutup (कुतुप) Muhurat - 11:44 AM to 12:31 PM
Duration - 00 Hours 46 Mins
Baras Shradh Rohina (रौहिण) Muhurat - 12:31 PM to 01:17 PM
Duration - 00 Hours 46 Mins
Yathi Shradha Aparahna (अपराह्न) Kaal - 01:17 PM to 03:37 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 19 Mins
Dwadashi Tithi Begins - 03:08 PM on Oct 10, 2023
Dwadashi Tithi Ends - 05:37 PM on Oct 11, 2023
