Pitru Paksha 2026 Shraddha Guide: Honor Your Ancestors

Lunar Days of Remembrance

Sep 26, 2026

Pitru Paksha Begins

Oct 10, 2026

Pitru Paksha Concludes

The 16-Day Timeline for 2026

Pitru Paksha unfolds over sixteen lunar days, or Tithis. Each day is an opportunity to perform Shraddha for ancestors who passed away on that specific Tithi. The timeline below maps each Tithi to its 2026 date.

Purnima Shraddha

Sep 26

Pratipada to Ashtami Shraddha

Sep 27 - Oct 3

Navami Shraddha (Avidhava Navami)

Oct 4

Dashami to Trayodashi Shraddha

Oct 5 - Oct 8

Chaturdashi Shraddha

Oct 9

Sarva Pitru Amavasya

Oct 10

Anatomy of the Fortnight

While most days correspond to a standard lunar day (Tithi), several days have special significance for specific ancestors.

This chart illustrates the proportion of standard Tithi-based Shraddha days versus days with special designations.

How to Find Your Shraddha Date: A Simple Guide

Finding the correct day is a straightforward process based on the lunar day, or Tithi, of an ancestor's passing. This flowchart breaks down the simple rules to follow.

Identify the Ancestor's Tithi

Determine the lunar day (e.g., Panchami, Dashami) on which they passed.

Check for Special Cases

Was it an unnatural death? (Use Chaturdashi). Was she a married woman who died before her husband? (Use Navami).

Match the Tithi

If no special case applies, find the corresponding Tithi in the Pitru Paksha calendar and perform Shraddha on that day.

Unknown Tithi?

If the Tithi is unknown, or you've missed the date, perform the rites for all ancestors on Sarva Pitru Amavasya.

The Spiritual Significance

Pitru Paksha is a sacred bridge connecting generations. Performing Shraddha is an act of profound gratitude, believed to provide peace to the souls of ancestors and, in return, invite their blessings of health, prosperity, and well-being for the family. It is a time to honor our roots and acknowledge the legacy that shapes our present.