๐๏ธ Shraddha & Pitru Karma: Honoring Our Ancestors the Vedic Way
By Pandit Ajay Shastri Ji | HAWANGURU | Vedic Rituals & Hindu Priest Services
๐ผ โPitru devo bhavaโ โ Our ancestors are divine beings who continue to bless us from the other realm.
In Hindu tradition, our forefathers and departed loved ones hold a sacred place in our hearts and lives. The Shraddha ceremony and Pitru Karma rituals are ancient Vedic ways to honor their souls, express gratitude, seek forgiveness, and ensure their continued peace in the afterlife.
๐ What is Shraddha?
Shraddha (เคถเฅเคฐเคพเคฆเฅเคง) is a Sanskrit word derived from โShraddhaโ, meaning faith or devotion. It refers to the set of rituals performed in honor of oneโs ancestors (Pitru) to ensure that their souls rest in peace and continue their journey toward liberation (moksha).
Performed usually on the death anniversary (tithi) or during the holy period of Pitru Paksha, Shraddha is a spiritual duty (kartavya) prescribed in the Garuda Purana, Manu Smriti, and other dharmic texts.
๐ง Why is Shraddha Important?
To offer food, water, and prayers to departed souls through ritualistic offerings (pind daan, tarpana).
To seek blessings from our ancestors for health, wealth, and family harmony.
To repay ancestral debts (Pitru Rin) that every human is born with, as per Hindu Dharma.
To pacify restless or unsatisfied souls, especially those who died unnaturally or without proper funeral rites.
To overcome Pitru Dosha, a planetary affliction caused by unsatisfied ancestors, which may manifest as delays, misfortunes, or family obstacles.
โOne who performs Shraddha with sincerity ensures peace in the ancestral realm and prosperity in the worldly life.โ
๐ฑ What is Pitru Karma?
Pitru Karma includes the entire cycle of post-death rituals โ from Antyeshti (last rites) to Pind Daan, Tarpan, and yearly Shraddha. These karmas help in:
Transitioning the soul from the earthly plane (mrityulok) to the ancestral world (Pitru Lok)
Helping the soul achieve release from rebirth
Ensuring the deceased is spiritually nourished and satisfied
It includes:
Pind Daan โ Offering rice balls mixed with ghee and sesame as symbolic food for the ancestors
Tarpan โ Offering water mixed with black sesame and kusha grass to quench the spiritual hunger and thirst of ancestors
Homam / Hawan โ Fire offerings to invoke Pitru and seek peace for their souls
๐ฟ When Should You Perform Shraddha?
Shraddha is ideally performed:
On the Tithi (lunar day) of the death of the ancestor, each year
During the sacred Pitru Paksha (usually in SeptemberโOctober)
On Amavasya (New Moon), especially Mahalaya Amavasya
On special days like Gaya Shraddha, Kartik Amavasya, or Makar Sankranti
For those unable to perform regular rituals, even offering tarpan on any Amavasya is considered meritorious.
๐ฟ Where Can Shraddha Be Performed?
At home with the guidance of a qualified priest (karmkandi)
At sacred tirthas like Gaya, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Rameswaram, or Badrinath
In temples or spiritual spaces with proper Brahman bhojan arrangements
๐ง Services by Pandit Ajay Shastri Ji (HAWANGURU)
At HAWANGURU, we provide complete Shraddha and Pitru Karma services, both in-person and online, as per authentic Vedic methods:
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Shraddha Tithi Rituals (Home & Online)
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Pind Daan & Tarpan
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Pitru Dosha Nivaran Puja
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Mahalaya Amavasya Shraddha
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Brahman Bhojan & Dakshina Arrangements
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Gaya Shraddha Trip Assistance
All rituals are conducted with purity, devotion, and scriptural correctness by Pandit Ajay Shastri Ji, who brings over 20 years of expertise in Vedic rites.
๐ธ How to Prepare for Shraddha?
Before the ritual:
Observe satvik (pure) lifestyle on the ritual day
Avoid celebrations or eating non-veg/processed food
Prepare the photos and names of ancestors
Keep black sesame, barley, cowโs ghee, kusha grass, and cooked rice ready
We guide you on every step โ from preparing the samagri to chanting mantras and feeding Brahmins.
๐ Final Thoughts
In our fast-paced lives, we often forget the quiet presence of those who came before us. Shraddha and Pitru Karma are not mere traditions โ they are timeless acts of remembrance, respect, and responsibility. By connecting with our roots, we ensure that the tree of our life remains strong, fruitful, and divinely protected.
Let us not wait for misfortune to remember our ancestors. Let us honor them with love, devotion, and correct rituals.
๐ Need Help with Shraddha Rituals?
Get in touch with Pandit Ajay Shastri Ji to book your personalized Shraddha or Pitru Karma puja at home or sacred locations.
Call/WhatsApp: +91-7217865038
Visit: www.hawanguru.com
Email: info@hawanguru.com
โWhen you feed your ancestors through Shraddha, you nourish the roots of your soul.โ