VRAT’S and UPVAAS -- SHRADDH TITHIS

Shraddh or Pitru Paksha is a 15 lunar day’s period of Krishna paksh when Hindus pay homage
to their ancestors, especially through pujas and food offerings.

According to Kartikadi (Amavasyant) calendar it falls in the lunar month of Bhadrapada

beginning with Bhadrapad Krishna Paksh-1

According to Chaitradi ( Purnimant ) calendar this period falls in the lunar month of Ashwin
beginning with Ashwin krishna paksh-1

The English date will be the same for both , and perform Shraddha ritual on similar days.

The last day of Pitru Paksha is known as Sarvapitri Amavasya or Mahalaya amavasya.
Mahalaya amavasya is the most significant day of Pitru Paksha.

The performance of Shraddha by a son during Pitru Paksha is regarded as compulsory by Hindus, to ensure
that the soul of the ancestor goes to heaven. The scriptures preach that a householder should propitiate
ancestors (Pitris), along with the gods (devas), ghosts (bhutas) and guests. The scriptures say that if the
ancestors are content with the shraddhas, they will bestow health, wealth, knowledge and longevity, and
ultimately heaven and salvation (moksha) upon the performer.
The performance of Sarvapitri amavasya rites can also compensate a forgotten or neglected annual Shraddha
ceremony, which should ideally coincide with the death anniversary of the deceased. Shraddha involves
oblations to three preceding generations—by reciting their names—as well as to the mythical lineage ancestor
(gotra). A person thus gets to know the names of six generations (three preceding generation, his own and
two succeeding generations—his sons and grandsons) in his life, reaffirming lineage ties. The current
generation repays their debt to the ancestors in the Pitru Paksha. This debt is considered of utmost
importance along with a person's debt to his gurus and his parents.
The ritual is also held on the death anniversary of the ancestor. The shraddha is performed only at noon,
usually on the bank of a river or lake or at one's own house. Families may also make a pilgrimage to places like
Varanasi and Gaya to perform Shraddha.

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GENERAL DEFINATION:
DINAMAAN ÷ 5 = FIFTH PART OF THE DAY
(i) PRATAHA KAAL
(ii) SANGAVA KAAL
(iii) MADHYANHA KAAL
(iv) APARANHA KAAL
(v) SANDHYA KAAL
APPOX Day Duration time 12-00-00 ÷ 5 = 02-24-00 (02.4 Hours / 6 GHATI Each part.)
ALL THE CALCULATIONS SHOULD BE BASED ON Day/Night TIME DURATION ONLY.
Most of the Hindu festivals are determined based on position of the Sun and the Moon.
AS PER HINDU RELIGIOUS RITUALS LIKE ~ “KARMAKAND VIBHAG” SHRADDH VIDHI / KRIYA…
ON SHRADDH DAYS “PURNA TITHI” – 5th, 10th & 15th (30th Aamavasya) Lunar Days
KUTUP & ROHINA MUHURTA:
The best time of offering such food to Brahmins is called KUTUP MUHURTA which falls from
4th to 8th Muhurta from the sunrise. Each Muhurta is 48 minutes, means 2 GHATIS. Thus
one can easily calculate from the time of sunrise on that particular day.
+/- 1 GHATI OF EXACT MADHYANHA KAAL = KUTUP KAAL / MUHURTA (48 Minutes / 2 GHATI)
AFTER KUTUP KAAL / MUHURTA …
There are another 2 GHATIS FOR ROHINA KAAL / MUHURTA
MORE OVER “TARPAN / MARJAN / BRAHM BHOJAN” etc. should be completed before
ending of APARANHA KAAL. THERE ARE NO OFFERINGS AFTER SANDHYA KAAL.
BASIC SUMMARY ~
Generally during the first, after death, whole year; every month on the tithi (date) of death
of the person a Brahmin is offered food. Then during 2nd and 3rd year food is offered to
Brahmin on the same date – tithi (Lunar Day) as of death. While during fourth year, very
elaborate procedure is performed with the help of Pandits adept in it. Then after that,
Shraddh of the departed soul is performed during “Pitra Paksh” only, on the same tithi.
Though there are many elaborate procedures to be performed but some minimum things
can be done by anyone to reap the benefit. “Tarpan and Bhojan” (food to Brahmins) can be
two things. Such rites are done on the date of death (as per Hindu calendar) of the person.
On whatsoever tithi a person left his body during anytime of the year, the same tithi is used
during this Paksh of the year for his Shraddh. If we are not aware the exact date of death
than we can use Amavasya tithi (Purna Tithi).
TITHI DIVISIONS (Categories of Lunar Days)
NANDA – 1, 6, 11
BHADRA – 2, 7, 12
JAYA – 3, 8, 13
RIKTA – 4, 9, 14
PURNA – 5, 10, 15 (30)

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