Shradh 2017: Bring Peace To The Dead

Shradh in 2017 during Pitru Paksha will commence on September 5 and will continue till September 19. Shraadh is a religious ritual for our ancestors who have left this world, and we are the ones who would take them to a transcended world. Read below to know more about Shraddha along with Shraddh 2017 dates.

What Is Shradh?

Shradh is a ritual performed in homage to our ancestors. It is also known as Tarpan. Shradh is performed for dead persons who had been associated to us as our ancestors. It is performed in Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Ashwin.

The period of performing holy rituals is also termed as Pitru Paksha. Shraddh is also regarded as the day of remembering the dead ancestors through prayers and holy practices.

It is believed that the ones who do not perform the rites of Shraadh or Tarpan for their ancestors suffer from troubles and major hurdles in their lives. This is termed as Pitru Dosha .

Shraddh is performed for a certain reason. Before you start the preparations for Shradh, you should know the reason for performing the ritual of Shraddha. So, let’s take a look why Shraddha or Tarpan is performed during the period of Pitru Paksha.

Shradh In 2017 Dates

Shradha in 2017 will be performed in Pitru Paksha. The period of Pitru Paksha is a duration of fifteen lunar days when the departed forefathers are paid regards.

Let’s take a look at the table showing the dates for Pitru Paksha in 2017 according to the Hindu Calendar :

Shradh	Date	Day
Purnima Shradh 2017	September 5	Tuesday
Pratipada Shradh 2017	September 6	Wednesday
Dwitiya Shradh 2017	September 7	Thursday
Tritiya Shradh 2017/Chaturthi Shradh 2017	September 8	Friday
Panchami Shradh 2017	September 9	Saturday
Shashthi Shradh 2017	September 10	Sunday
Saptami Shradh 2017	September 11	Monday
Ashtami Shradh 2017	September 12	Tuesday
Navami Shradh 2017	September 13	Wednesday
Dashami Shradh 2017	September 14	Thursday
Ekadashi Shradh 2017	September 15	Friday
Dwadashi Shradh 2017	September 16	Saturday
Trayodashi Shradh 2017	September 17	Sunday
Chaturdashi Shradh 2017	September 18	Monday
Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh 2017	September 19	Tuesday

We hope that the above mentioned table of Shradh 2017 dates will be useful to you.

Since, Shraddha is a unique method of linking the living and the dead generation together, the rituals should be held meticulously.

Why Is Shradh Performed?

Shradh is performed as a token of remembrance to the departed souls. The ritual of Shradh is a way of showing a person’s thankfulness and gratitude to his/her ancestors.

This ritual is a way of freeing souls of the departed ancestors from earth. It is believed that the persons who have died due to an unnatural reason (such as accident, mishap, etc.) find themselves trapped in an inconsolable environment. Thus, Shraddh is also performed to pacify their souls and provide them peace after death.

Now, as you know the reasons to perform Shraddha, let’s know how Shraddha should be performed. Let’s take a look at the rituals of Shradh or Tarpan.

How Is Shradh Performed?

Although Shraadh rituals are performed on a lunar day of Ashvin month, there are different Tithis (dates) for performing Shradh. The Tithis are chosen according to the nature of death the particular person has experienced.

To tranquilize the dead souls, the rituals of Shradh or Tarpan should be performed in a meticulous manner. No measures shall be neglected to pacify our dead forefathers.

Now, as you already know the Shradh 2017 dates, let’s know what the each day of Shraadh signifies.

1. Purnima Shradh : On this day, Shraddh is performed for those who left this world on the Full Moon day (Purnima).
2. Pratipada Shradh : This is performed for the members of the family who died on Pratipada Tithi.
3. Dwitiya Shradh : Also known as Dooj Shradh, this is performed for the members who died on Dwitiya Tithi.
4. Tritiya Shradh : This is performed for the people who have died on Tritiya Tithi. It is also known as Teej Shraddha.
5. Chautha Shradh : This is followed for the persons who have died the previous year or on the Chaturthi Tithi.
6. Bharani Shradh/Panchami Shradh : This Shraddha is performed when the Bharani Nakshatra prevails during Pitru Paksha. Bharani constellation either prevails on Chaturthi or Panchami every year. Shraddh performed on this day is equivalent to the Gaya Shraddha. Panchami Shraadh is special in its own way because on this day, Shradh of the people who died unmarried is performed.
7. Shashthi Shradh : This is known as Chhath Shraddha performed for members who died on Shashthi Tithi.
8. Saptami Shradh : This is performed for the family members who died on Saptami Tithi.
9. Ashtami Shradh : This is done for the members who have died on Ashtami Tithi.
10. Navami Shradh : It is known as Avidhava Shraddh. This is performed by the men whose wives have died. Also, this is known as Matra Navami, as the Shraadh of mother is also performed on this day.
11. Dashami Shradh : Dashami Shraddha or Dasami Shradh is done for people who have died on Dashami Tithi.
12. Ekadashi Shradh : This is also known as Gyaras Shraddh, performed for people who have died on Ekadasi Tithi.
13. Dwadashi Shradh : This is performed for people who have taken up Sanyas or renunciation before death or who died on Dwadashi Tithi. It is also known as Baras Shradha.
14. Magha Trayodashi Shradh : This is performed for dead children or the people who died on Trayodashi Tithi. It is also known as Kakbali, Balabholani Teras or Teras Shraadh. Magha Shraddh is performed when Magha Nakshatra (constellation) prevails during Aparahana Kaal.
15. Ghata Chaturdashi Shradh : This Shradh is followed for the persons who have died unnaturally (accident, murder or suicide). It is also known as Chaudas Shraddh.
16. Sarvapitri Amavasya Shradh : This Tithi is performed for all ancestors, irrespective of the way they died. If somebody is not able to perform Shraadh on the requisite Tithi, may perform on Sarvapitri Moksha Amavasya Shraddha. It is also known as Amavasya Shraddha.

The above mentioned Shraddha dates will protect you from the problems of Pitra Dosha.

Let’s take a look at who should perform the rites of Shraddha and for whom.

Who & For Whom?

Generally, the eldest son of the family performs the Shraddha in the presence of a priest. The one who performs Shradh or Tarpan should be a member of the paternal branch of the ancestor. He should be a member of one of the three preceding generations.

On Sarvapitri Amavasya, maternal grandchild of the dead person can also perform the rituals of Shraddha. This can be done if a male heir from his family is not present.

Rites Of Shradh

The male member who performs the ceremony of Shraadh has to undergo a thread ceremony beforehand. Bath is taken by the male member to purify his soul and dresses up in a Dhoti (loincloth). He remains bare-chested as a part of the tradition and wears a ring of Durva grass. It is believed that the souls of the dead ancestors reside in the ring. While performing the rite, the person has to alter the positions of his thread a number of times. After getting prepared with the customary traditions, the ritual begins.

The rites of Shraddha can be divided into three parts:

1. Pinda Daan: During the phase of Pinda Daan, cow milk, Ghee (purified butter) or butter, sugar, and flour products are offered to the ancestors, through a channel of spiritual discipline.
2. Tarpan: During the phase of Tarpan, ancestors are offered water mixed with black sesame, flour, barley, and Kusha grass.
3. Feeding Brahmin: This is the last phase performed during Shraddha. During this stage, crows are fed in prior to feeding Brahmins.

Do you find feeding the crows a usual occurrence in Shraddha? Let’s know the significance of feeding the crows during Shraadh.

Why Are Crows Fed In Shradh?

It is believed in Hinduism that the forefathers’ souls reside in crows. Once a person is dead, it is believed that the person doesn’t always attain Moksha or salvation. Therefore, the ceremony of Shraddha is performed for the dead ancestors up to three generations.

During the last phase of Shraddha in Pitru Paksha, food is offered to the crows along with the Brahmins. As said, the departed ancestors accept the food offerings in the form of crows.

Legend Of Shradh

Mahabharata war led to the death of Karna. With his death, he was surpassed to heaven where he was offered the food of gold and silver. The necessity of getting edible foods urged him to ask Indra the reason for such an offering.

He was told by Indra that he might have given away enough gold and silver his whole life, but failed to please his ancestors. His forefathers were not pleased with food and water by Karna during the Shraddh ceremony.

In order to amend his past guilt, he was sent to earth for a fortnight to perform the offerings of food and water to his ancestors. The period came to be known as Pitru Paksha.

The ritual of Shraddh or Tarpan are a chance to pay homage to the departed souls. The ones who had been deprived of the respect and happiness in their lives, who have sacrificed every fraction of their lives for us, it’s the golden opportunity to offer them a thankful tribute. So, don’t lose the chance!

So, on this Shradh, we wish that our article would help you to know more on Shradh rituals. Hopefully, you would be able to bridge a special heavenly connection with the departed souls of your forefathers on Shraddha.