Shradh Paksha - Puja For The Ancestors For Their Souls

In the year 2016, Shradh dates would fall from September 16th to October 1st. It is called the Pitru Paksha. During this time, the ritual of Tarpan is performed for the departed souls to rest in peace. Here are some norms to be followed during this year Shradh Paksha for asking the blessings of our ancestors and also for removing of any kind of Pitru Dosh.

  
Shradh or Pitru Paksha is the most auspicious and significant time to remember our ancestors and also to pray for them for their souls to rest in peace. As per Hindu mythology, if prayers and certain rituals are performed for the ancestors during the time of Pitru Paksha, they would bless you and your family and their souls too would rest in peace. 

Just like every year, even this year in 2016, the same rituals of Tarpan would be performed when Shradh commences. People in every Hindu home would pray for their ancestors and their departed souls and would seek their blessings as well. 

Significance of Shradh
According to the ‘Srimad Bhagwad Gita,’ human body destroys and takes rebirth after death. It is destructible but the soul is immortal. It never dies or takes rebirth. It is ever existent. Hence no element of nature can destroy it, be it air, water or fire. 

Shradha is the time when the soul gets liberated from the cycle of life and death. It achieves salvation. Hence, it is mandatory to perform Shradh during the time of Pitru Paksha so that the departed souls may rest in peace. It is equally important to do Tarpan during the time of Shradh so as to get rid of Pitra dosh (adverse effects of non performance of rituals for the departed souls). Performing Shradh in the most appropriate manner, as per the Hindu norms and rituals frees the departed soul and provides complete salvation to it.

Shradh dates in 2016
During the time of Shradh every year, almost every Hindu family prays for the sould of their ancestors to rest in peace and also to shower their blessings on them. The Pitru Paksha consists of sixteen days, each day being dedicated as a date or Tithi of an ancestor. The Shradh of the ancestor is performed on the tithi on which the person had passed away, hence based on that particular date as per Hindu calendar prayers are offered for the peace of the departed soul. For example, if a person had passed away on the Ashthami, his Tarpan would be conducted on the Ashthami Shradh. On the last day of the Pitru Paksha, i.e, on the day of the Amavasya, we recall upon all our ancestors and pray to God that all their souls rest in peace and all of them find a place in heaven.

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