Mahalaya Amavasya (Pitru Paksha)

Introduction

Pitru Paksha – also called Mahalaya Paksham – is the fortnight of the ancestors (pitrus). In the Telugu calendar it is the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, from Bahula Padyami to Amavasya, usually in September or early October. It ends on Mahalaya Amavasya, the most important day of the fortnight, which falls on the day before Devi Navaratri begins. Through these days, families remember their departed parents, grandparents and forebears with gratitude, and offer tarpanam, pinda pradanam and charity in their name.

Significance and Legend

The tradition teaches that we owe a debt (pitru runam) to those who gave us life, and that remembering them with offerings brings peace to them and blessings to the family. According to the Mahabharata tradition, the great giver Karna, after his death, found that although he had given away gold all his life, he had never offered food to his ancestors; he was allowed to return to the earth for a fortnight to make those offerings, and that fortnight came to be observed as Pitru Paksha. Shraddha is usually performed on the tithi on which a family member passed away. Mahalaya Amavasya – also called Sarvapitri Amavasya – is for all ancestors, whatever their tithi; on this day the family can remember every departed relative, including those whose tithi is not known or whose rites could not be performed earlier.

How it is Observed in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

• Holy bath: many take an early bath in a river such as the Godavari or the Krishna, in the sea, or at a sacred tank, before the rites.
• Tarpanam: water mixed with black sesame (til) is offered with mantras, naming the gotra and the ancestors.
• Pinda pradanam: balls of cooked rice mixed with sesame and ghee are offered to the ancestors, usually with the help of a priest.
• Who performs the rites: traditionally the son or another close relative of the family performs the shraddha; families follow the customs of their own tradition.
• Sacred places: large numbers of devotees perform the rites at tirthas such as Kapila Theertham in Tirupati and Padagaya at Pithapuram, and many families travel to Kashi or Gaya.
• A quiet fortnight: as a time of remembrance, the fortnight is traditionally not chosen for weddings, housewarmings or new beginnings.
• Navaratri and Bathukamma: the next day, Devi Navaratri begins; in Telangana, Bathukamma traditionally begins with Engili Pula Bathukamma on Mahalaya Amavasya, as per the Telugu panchang.

Rituals and Puja

• A sankalpam naming the family's ancestors, followed by tarpanam and pinda pradanam.
• Offering a portion of the food to crows, which are traditionally seen as messengers to the ancestors, and to cows.
• Feeding Brahmins and the needy, and giving food, clothes and other gifts (danam) in the ancestors' name.
• Prayers for the peace of the departed and for the well-being of the family.

Foods and Offerings

• Pindas – cooked rice mixed with black sesame and ghee.
• Black sesame and water for the tarpanam.
• Simple, satvik food cooked at home, often including dishes the departed loved, offered first to the ancestors and then shared.
• Annadanam and gifts to the needy in the ancestors' name.

Places Known for these Rites

• Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi – Kashi is among the most revered places in India for shraddha, and families come from everywhere to perform rites for their ancestors on the banks of the Ganga.

In Andhra Pradesh, Kapila Theertham in Tirupati draws thousands of devotees for pinda pradanam and tarpanam on Mahalaya Amavasya, and Padagaya at Pithapuram is a revered place for these rites.

The Pitru Paksha and Mahalaya Amavasya dates are shown in the festival dates above. Mahalaya Amavasya falls on Bhadrapada Bahula Amavasya as per the Telugu panchang.