Significance of Pitru Paksha

September 9, 2017 Incredible India Valli Sarvani No comments

Now, the days of Pirtu Paksha are going on. Pitru Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha began on September 5 and ends on September 19 from which Durga puja begins for the Navratri.

As per the epics, Pitru Paksha has a religious significance. This 15-day period is dedicated to propitiate ancestors and various ancestral rituals are performed.

The propitiation is considered to relieve the debt of descendants to their ancestors.

Vedic astrology says that Rahu or Ketu causes the doshas.

They can cause some bad yogas in the lives of a person. Some astrologers pronounce that Shani is equally responsible for the bad effects due to Pitru doshas.

In Hindu mythology, many believe that one has to bear the bad effects of their ancestors also. It is similar to one enjoying one’s fortunes by one’s heirs.

The Pitru dosha will effect up to seven generations. In other words, the faults of ancestors in the preceding seven generations can show impact on the lives of their descendants.

It is believed that the offerings made to ancestors in Mahalaya Paksha period would reach them directly even though their souls departed in an unnatural manner like suicide as per the ordinance of Lord Yama.

The descendants who perform the religious rites are believed to be blessed with money, health etc. Furthermore, it will solve many worldly problems including job and relationships.

Some holy rites in this period included bathing thrice a day, oblations of water to ancestors, observing partial fasting, feeding the poor and Brahmins. The charity activities are considered to add merit to the deceased souls as well as to the existing people who perform them. They also cleanse the doshas of ancestors and there by nullify the haunting effects on their descendants.

It is also quite common to visit pilgrimage places like Gaya, Varanasi, Prayag etc. in this period.

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