Written by the Vandanam editorial team, with inputs from our panel of verified Vedic pandits. Last updated September 2026.
Pitru Paksha 2026 runs from 26 September to 10 October. These sixteen days are set aside to remember departed elders through Shradh, tarpan and pind daan. This guide covers the tithi-wise dates, what the ritual involves, the samagri needed, and roughly what it costs to have a pandit perform it at home.
Pitru Paksha 2026 dates (tithi-wise)
| Shradh tithi | Date (2026) | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Pratipada Shradh | 26 September | First day; elders who passed on Pratipada |
| Panchami Shradh | 30 September | Unmarried departed (Kunwara Panchami) |
| Ashtami Shradh | 3 October | Passed on Ashtami |
| Navami Shradh | 4 October | Departed mothers / married women (Matri Navami) |
| Ekadashi & Dwadashi Shradh | 6–7 October | Sanyasis and those who passed on these tithis |
| Sarva Pitri Amavasya | 10 October | Any ancestor whose tithi is unknown; the most important day |
What is Shradh, and how is it different from Pitra Dosh Puja?
Shradh is the yearly rite of remembrance — you feed and bless your ancestors through tarpan (water with black sesame and kush grass), pind daan (rice-ball offerings) and a brahmin bhoj sankalp. Every family with departed elders performs it, whether or not there is any “problem”.
Pitra Dosh Puja is different: it is a remedial puja done when a horoscope shows Pitra Dosh — ancestral displeasure believed to block progress, marriage or children. You may need one, both, or neither. If your kundli shows Pitra Dosh, read about our Pitra Dosh Puja; for the annual rite, see Shradh & Pind Daan Puja.
The Shradh vidhi, step by step
- Sankalp — the karta (usually the eldest son) takes a vow naming the ancestors and the purpose.
- Invocation — the pitras and Vishwedevas are invited and seated on kush grass.
- Tarpan — water mixed with black sesame is offered to three generations of paternal and maternal ancestors.
- Pind Daan — balls of cooked rice (or barley flour) are offered, then given to a cow, crow or flowing water.
- Brahmin bhoj / daan — food and dakshina are offered to a brahmin, or a sankalp of daan is made.
- Kshama prarthana — closing prayers seeking forgiveness for any lapse and peace for the departed.
The ritual is best performed in the aparahna kaal (roughly midday to early afternoon). A home Shradh takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Shradh samagri list
A verified pandit from Vandanam brings all of this; if you are arranging it yourself you will need:
- Kush grass, black sesame (kala til), barley (jau), raw rice, wheat flour
- Cow’s milk, curd, ghee, honey, gangajal
- Roli, akshat, a white cloth, a janeu (sacred thread)
- Seasonal fruit, a coconut, betel leaves and nuts
- Cooked kheer or a simple sattvic meal for the offering and brahmin bhoj
- Brass or copper patra (plate, lota, panch-patra), a diya
How much does Shradh / Pind Daan at home cost?
For a home Shradh in Delhi NCR, expect a pandit dakshina and samagri package broadly in the ₹2,500–₹11,000 range, depending on the length of the vidhi, whether a full brahmin bhoj is included, and the number of ancestors being remembered. Elaborate Pind Daan with Tripindi Shradh costs more. A pilgrimage Pind Daan at Gaya is a separate, one-time observance and is not required for the annual rite.
Vandanam shares an all-inclusive price on WhatsApp before you book — no additions on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Can Shradh be done at home?
Yes. The annual Shradh and Pind Daan are routinely performed at home by a qualified pandit. Gaya is optional and usually done once in a lifetime.
I don’t know the exact tithi my father passed away.
Perform his Shradh on Sarva Pitri Amavasya (10 October 2026). A pandit can also help you convert the English date to the tithi.
Can a daughter or wife perform Shradh?
In many families, yes — particularly when there is no son available. The pandit performs the sankalp accordingly.
What should we avoid during Pitru Paksha?
Families traditionally avoid new purchases, housewarming, weddings and other auspicious beginnings during these sixteen days, resuming after Sarva Pitri Amavasya.
Book a pandit for Shradh in Pitru Paksha 2026
Vandanam arranges verified Vedic pandits for Shradh and Pind Daan at home across Delhi NCR, with all samagri included. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 87964 76233 with the tithi and your city, or see the Shradh & Pind Daan Puja page to book.