Customized Pitru Paksha Puja | Pitra Paksh Dates | Importance of Shraddh | Shaligram Shala Puja and Yajna Services

Mantra: Om Sarv Pitra Devatabhyo Namah.
मंत्र: ॐ सर्व पितृ देवताभ्यो नमः।

Mantra: ॐ देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च महायोगिभ्य एव च
नमः स्वाहायै स्वधायै नित्यमेव नमो नम:

Meaning: समस्त देवताओं, पितरों, महायोगियों, स्वधा एवं स्वाहा सबको हम नमस्कार करते हैं यह सब शाश्वत फल प्रदान करने वाले हैं।
We pray to all Gods, ancestors, saints, Swadha and Swaha. May They shower us with their blessings.

Pitru Paksha is a period when Hindus offer prayers to their ancestors, especially through food offerings called Shraadh. Pitru Paksha is also known as Pitru Paksha, Pitri Pokkho, Jitiya, Kanagat, Mahalaya Paksha, Apara paksha and Sola Shraadh. According to South Indian Amavasyant calendar, it is celebrated in the lunar month of Bhadrapada beginning with the full moon day or day after the full moon day.

Whereas according to North Indian Purnimant calendar it is celebrated in the lunar month of Ashwin beginning with the full moon day in Bhadrapada or next day of full moon day. The rituals offering Shraadh to the ancestors are the same as per both calendars. Pitru Paksha becomes inauspicious in the case if the death rite is performed during this period known as Shraadh or tarpan. During Pitru Paksha, Sun travels from the northern to the southern hemisphere.

Importance of Shraddh / Pitru Paksha Puja

According to the Vedic scriptures and customs, the souls of three previous generations of ancestors dwell in the Pitru Loka (a place ruled by Yamaraja between heavenly planets and earthy planet). Yamaraj or Yama is the god of death who takes the soul from earth to Pitru loka. If a family member of the next generation expires in this case first generation moves to higher planes or heaven where he unites with the Lord. Here in this case Shraadh offerings are not made it only offers when three generations in Pitru–loka are given.

Pitru Paksha begins when the Sun moves into the zodiac sign of Libra (Tula). It is believed that the souls depart Pitru loka and reside in their descendants homes for a month until the Sun moves into the next zodiac which is Scorpio (Vrishchika) and there is a full moon. The ancestors in the first half during the dark fortnight appeased with Shraadh Puja. It is mentioned in the Garuda Purana that there is no deliverance of a man without a son. A householder should appease his ancestors who when pleased bless wealth, health, knowledge, longevity and ultimately heaven & salvation (moksha).

Story of Pitru Dosha in the Mahabharata

In the epic Mahabharata war, after the legendary warrior Karna was killed, his soul ascended to heaven. In heaven, he was given gold and jewels as food and Lord Indra reminded him about his donations throughout his life. But warrior Karna offered all the gold and jewels in charity. He informed Lord Indra that he was not aware of this and asked him to find a way. Karna under the direction of Indra returned to earth for a fortnight to offer Shradh Puja or Pitru Paksha Puja to his ancestors. Now this time period is regarded as Pitru Paksha.

What is Pitru Dosha?

Basically the 9th house in a Kundali or natal chart of an individual is considered the house of the father, ancestors, fate & fortune. The presence of Sun & Rahu in this house and other planetary combinations indicates Pitra Dosha. It erases all the auspiciousness from the house of luck. In a horoscope, Pitra Dosh indicates that a person has not done enough for his ancestors or their ancestors remained dissatisfied with him due to some reason.

This Dosha can also result when a family member dies an unnatural death or if someone has not offered his respects to the souls of deceased loved ones. The Pitru Dosha can lead to many hardships in life and therefore Pitru Dosha Nivaran Puja or Shraddh Puja is recommended for a happy and peaceful worldly life and for the attainment of peace for the departed souls of ancestors.

What To Do During Pitru Paksha? What to do for Pitru Dosha?

Shraddha: You should perform a shradh ceremony during Pitru Paksha and also invite people as well as holy men to attend the feast. The feast is held to satisfy the unrequited desires of departed souls and also help it on its way to higher realms. Feeding Brahmans and people during the Pitru Paksha helps not only departed ancestors but also the performer to liberated from past karma. Therefore it is a tradition of feeding cows and beggars during Pitru Paksha.

Brahman Bhoj: Brahmin Bhoj is a ritual to offer food to Brahmins. Here one can feed a number of Brahmins during this period so that their blessings will accrue to your departed ancestors. Treat all of them with respect, offer them all hospitality and give them some Dakshina (fees). You can also show your respect for the Brahmins by touching their feet and seeking their blessing.

Pind Daan: In Pind Daan take a handful of cooked rice and mix it with sesame seeds and shape into balls. Now touch these rice balls and invoke your ancestors and also meditate on them. On the Pinda, you also have to sprinkle some black sesame seeds along with water and add some curd on the ball. Now offer sandalwood paste & flowers to this pinda and respectfully place it where animals or birds can eat it.

Tarpan: Offering water to Gods, sages and the souls of ancestors is Tarpan. Donating water is above all good deeds (punya) that one can perform in their lifetime. This ritual can be performed on the banks of a river or lake. During Tarpan ritual, one offer water (tarpan) to deities using the fingertips, while water is offered to the deceased ancestors souls with the thumb and first finger of the hand.

Who can perform Shradh Rituals and what food can be offered?

According to the Vedic injunction, the eldest son or a male relative of the paternal branch of the family performs the rituals. Son of a lady can perform the ritual if she has no heir in her family. In the Shradh pooja food is offered to the ancestors which includes Kheer, lapsi (a sweet porridge made of wheat grains), rice, dal (lentils), the vegetable of spring bean (guar) and a yellow gourd (pumpkin). All these food items should be prepared in silver or copper vessels and served on a banana leaf or cups made of dried leaves.

Benefits of Shraadh during Pitru Paksha

- It provides harmonious & cordial family relations
- It gives relief from physical & mental ailments
- One can get financial stability & peace of mind
- It also provides relief from other malefic effects of Pitra Dosha

Spiritual Benefits of Shraadh during Pitru Paksha

-Blessing of ancestors ladies is gotten who has left this world as a sumangali.
-It also removes the power of any pitru dosh if present.
-Getting this puja ritual done fulfills all the remaining desires of the ancestor women.
- For health, knowledge, prosperity and success.
- It gives protection during panic and psychic attacks.

Health Benefits of Shraadh during Pitru Paksha

- It provides harmonious & cordial family relations.
- It gives relief from physical & mental ailments.
- One who performs this ritual can get financial stability & peace of mind.
- Provide relief from the other harmful effects of the malefic planets and all the destruction will be cured.

Associated Chakra Planet & Products

If the above Puja & Yagna is performed along with the following items, the power of Puja increases manifolds times more. If you buy any of these items, we shall energize that item during your puja so that these will give you very good results. We will energize and also do Abhimantram of that item.

Chakra - Anahata (Heart) Chakra is balanced by performing this puja. Chakra is seven centers of religious energy in the human body. Chakras are the circular vortexes of power that are situated in seven different points on the spinal column, and all the seven chakras are related to the different organs and glands within the body. These chakras are responsible for disturbing life energy.

Planet - Mercury (Buddh) is associated with this Puja & Yagna. According to the Vedic astrology, all the nine planets in your horoscope (Kundali) affect the course of life i.e. marriage, career, health, finances etc. The movement of these planets in the horoscope forms yogas or doshas (negative influences). Due to these Navagraha doshas, people face various obstacles & hindrances in their life. In order to minimize and negate the malefic doshas or malefic influence of these planets, we perform various Pujas & Yagnas.

Shaligram - Mahavishnu Shaligram & Laxmi Narayan Shaligram can be worshipped along with this Puja & Yagna and it gives very good results. The Shaligram is a natural stone that is Lord Vishnu itself. Shaligram is a Blackstone brought from Gandaki river-beds in the Muktinath area of Nepal. Shalagram Shila is also known as Salagram/ Shalagram/ Saligram Sila. Shaligram worshipped in the temple as well as in the houses. Shaligram is a fossilized shell used in South Asia as an iconic symbol and form of Lord Vishnu. They are typically in the form of spherical, black-colored and smooth in nature. We offer a pure array of Shri Shalagram. Its origination place is also likewise of Sankha, Moti or Gomati Chakra which are Aquatic States. Shalagram is a Blackstone brought from Gandaki river, there is a big place called Shalagram and these Shalagram are hundreds of years old.

Rudraksha - 19 Mukhi is also worshipped along with this Puja & Yagna. By doing so the power of Puja & Yagna increases manifolds times more. Shaligram Shala offers certified Rudraksh sourced from Nepal & Java (Indonesia). These Rudraksh Beads are genuine & real and can work as a cure for a wide variety of diseases including chronic headaches, allergies & skin problems, backaches & digestive problems, depression & insomnia and also several kinds of emotional problems. You can purchase online Rudraksha, Shaligram, gemstones, Vastu products, Puja & Yagnas, meditation accessories, bracelets, Malas and spiritual books & CDs.

Gemstone - Wearing Emerald (Panna) gemstone along with this Puja & Yagna gives results quickly. Gemstones also known as gems, precious stones, semi-precious stones, Vedic gemstones, Jyotish gemstones are one of the most beautiful & exotic minerals with elegant appearance & color. Gems or Gemstones Jewelleries are extensively used for healing and self-empowerment. There are different types of gems with different prices. The price of gemstones depends on the quality of minerals & availability.

Murtis & Idols - You should also worship Narayan Idols along with the Puja & Yagna. shaligram.com is one of the leading websites which deals in very high quality and rare Murtis & Idols made of makrana marbles & brass. The Pranpratisthit Murtis are actual live Murties and bestow the devotee with longevity, protection against sudden accidents and thefts.

Yantra - Worshipping Vishnu Yantra along with the above puja gives accurate results. Yantra established the vibration of large resonance or amplitude with the benefic energy of cosmos. These vibrations generate contact with highly elevated energies and help to enhance the spirituality within and attain spiritual course of conduct in our daily lives. It also increases the intensity of prayer & makes our thoughts more influential & strong.