Pitru Paksha • Shraddha • 2026

2026 Shraddha Dates & Pitru Paksha Guide

Honor ancestors with a clear 2026 timeline, special Shraddha-day notes, and simple guidance for choosing the appropriate observance date. This page keeps the source calendar structure while presenting it in a warmer, easier-to-scan festival theme.

Sep 26, 2026Pitru Paksha begins
Oct 10, 2026Sarva Pitru Amavasya
16 lunar daysTraditional remembrance period
2026 Calendar

The 16-day Shraddha timeline

Pitru Paksha unfolds through the lunar tithis. The source groups the period from Purnima Shraddha through Sarva Pitru Amavasya, with several special observance days highlighted.

Purnima Shraddha

September 26
Opening observance in the source calendar.

Pratipada to Ashtami Shraddha

September 27 – October 3
Match the ancestor’s lunar death tithi where applicable.

Navami Shraddha (Avidhava Navami)

October 4
Traditionally associated with married women who passed away before their husbands.

Dashami to Trayodashi Shraddha

October 5 – October 8
Continue matching the applicable lunar tithi.

Chaturdashi Shraddha

October 9
The source associates this day with certain unnatural or violent deaths.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya

October 10
Used for all ancestors, especially when the exact tithi is unknown or missed.
Special observances

What makes some Shraddha days different?

Instead of an abstract chart, the special days are more useful when explained directly.

Navami / Avidhava Navami

Traditionally observed for married women who died while their husbands were still living. Family customs can vary, so local Panchang guidance is important.

Chaturdashi Shraddha

The source links this day with ancestors whose death occurred through accident, weapons or other unnatural circumstances.

Sarva Pitru Amavasya

A universal remembrance day for ancestors whose exact death tithi is unknown, forgotten, or could not be observed earlier in the fortnight.

How to choose

How to find the appropriate Shraddha date

The source uses a simple decision flow based on the ancestor’s lunar death tithi and a few special cases.

1

Identify the ancestor’s lunar tithi

Find the Hindu lunar day—such as Panchami, Dashami or another tithi—on which the ancestor passed away.

2

Check whether a special case applies

If the family follows a special rule for Avidhava Navami or Chaturdashi Shraddha, use that tradition rather than only the generic tithi match.

3

Match that tithi within Pitru Paksha

If no special case applies, perform Shraddha on the corresponding tithi during the Pitru Paksha period.

4

If the tithi is unknown or missed

Sarva Pitru Amavasya is the fallback day in the source guidance for universal ancestral remembrance.

Important: Exact tithi boundaries and observance dates depend on location and Panchang calculations. Use this page as a planning guide and confirm family-specific practice with your local Panchang or priest.
Spiritual meaning

A fortnight of gratitude and remembrance

Pitru Paksha is presented in the source as a sacred bridge connecting generations. Shraddha expresses gratitude to ancestors and acknowledges the family legacy that shapes the present.

Remember

Recall ancestors by name, lineage and memory, with respect and gratitude.

Offer

Families may perform Shraddha, Tarpan, food offerings and related rites according to their tradition.

Continue the legacy

The observance emphasizes continuity between past, present and future generations.

FAQ

Common questions about Shraddha dates

When does Pitru Paksha begin in this 2026 calendar?

The source page lists September 26, 2026 as the beginning of the period.

When is Sarva Pitru Amavasya in 2026?

The source lists October 10, 2026.

What if I do not know the ancestor’s tithi?

The source recommends Sarva Pitru Amavasya for unknown or missed tithis.

Can the date differ by location?

Yes. Tithi start and end times are location-sensitive, so the practical observance can differ across time zones. Confirm with a local Panchang.