During Pitru Paksha 2026, the Shraddha rite is performed to grant peace to the souls of ancestors, and the procedure for conducting Tarpan and Pindadana is described. Throughout Pitru Paksha, Shraddha is observed according to various dates set for deceased ancestors. The tenth day Shraddha will be held on Monday, October 5th. This ritual is intended for ancestors whose passing occurred on the tenth day in both the Krishna and Shukla lunar months.
Date and Time of the Tenth Shraddha
The tenth day Shraddha will take place on Monday, October 5th. According to the Panchang, the tenth day begins early in the morning at 03:53 and concludes early in the morning on October 6th at 02:07. During Pitru Paksha, it is considered best to perform Shraddha during the Kutup Vela. On October 5th, the Kutup Vela will last from 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM.
How to Perform the Tenth Day Shraddha?
The tenth day Shraddha holds great significance for pacifying the souls of ancestors. Performing Pindadana and Tarpan with sincere faith on this day helps the ancestors attain a blissful state. To begin the ritual, one should take a bath in the morning, dress in clean clothes, and then sit facing south. Offerings (Pindas) made from rice, flour, black cumin, Gangajal, milk, ghee, and honey should be presented to the ancestors.
To perform Tarpan, one must wear a ring with Kusha on the ring finger of the right hand. Then, by mixing water and black cumin in Gangajal, one must drop this mixture between the thumb and index finger of the right hand into a vessel, remembering one's ancestors. This area of the palm is called Pitr-Tirtha, and it is believed that Tarpan performed from this spot directly reaches the ancestors.
After this, the first portion of food must be divided into five servings. These portions are designated for cows, crows, dogs, ants, and poor Brahmins. It is necessary to feed needy people with the Shraddha food, and then make donations to them according to their means. The ritual should conclude with a prayer for the peace of the ancestors' souls and the preservation of their blessings.