Pitru Paksh 2024: The Importance of Pind-Daan and Tarpan

A son offering food so that he can please his ancestors during the time of Pitru Paksh or Shradh paksh

In Hindu beliefs, the blessings of our ancestors are considered crucial for a prosperous and peaceful life. The peace and happiness of the souls of our ancestors directly affect our life’s prosperity, harmony, and growth. One way to seek the blessings of our ancestors is by performing rituals in a rightful manner during the Pitru Paksh or Shraddh Paksh.

What Happens When Ancestors Are Displeased?

A son doing pind daan to remove pitru dosh during pitru paksh
Credit: HarGharPuja

If the ancestors are displeased or if their rituals are not performed correctly, it can result in “Pitru Dosh” (ancestral curse). This Dosh can have several negative effects on one’s life, including:

  1. Financial Difficulties: Pitru Dosh can lead to financial problems, such as a shortage of money, losses in business, or lack of stability in employment.
  2. Health Issues: Family members may suffer from frequent health issues that are difficult to treat, possibly due to the unrest of the ancestors’ souls.
  3. Marital Problems: Delays in marriage, dissatisfaction in married life, or obstacles in having children may be signs of displeased ancestors.
  4. Strained Relationships: Displeased ancestors can cause tension and discord within family relationships, disturbing the household’s harmony.
  5. Other Obstacles: Pitru Dosh can create hurdles in various aspects of life, such as education, career success, and psychological stress.

Why Are Pind-Daan and Tarpan Essential During Pitru Paksh?

Pitru Paksh is considered the most sacred period for appeasing the souls of our ancestors. This 15-day period involves performing rituals like Tarpan, Pind-Daan, and Shraddha. These rituals provide peace and satisfaction to the souls of the ancestors. The necessity of performing Pind-Daan and Tarpan during Pitru Paksh is based on the following reasons:

  1. Peace to the Souls of Ancestors: Through Pind-Daan and Tarpan, the souls of the ancestors attain peace and satisfaction, helping them find solace.
  2. Removal of Pitru Dosha: Performing these rituals during Pitru Paksh helps alleviate the effects of Pitru Dosh, providing solutions to various life problems.
  3. Receiving Ancestors’ Blessings: By performing Tarpan and Pind-Daan, we receive the blessings of our ancestors, which are essential for a prosperous, successful, and peaceful life.
  4. Spiritual Growth: These rituals strengthen the spiritual connection between us and our ancestors, aiding in our spiritual advancement.
  5. Religious Duty: Performing Tarpan and Pind-Daan is a religious duty for every Hindu to bring peace to their ancestors’ souls.

The Process of Pind-Daan and Tarpan

A hindu male performing pind daan rituals during pitru paksh
Credit: HarGharPuja

Tarpan and Pind-Daan are the primary rituals performed during Pitru Paksh, following specific procedures and rules:

  1. Pind-Daan: This ritual involves making Pind (offerings) using barley, rice, sesame seeds, and water. Mantras are chanted while making the offerings, which are placed at a sacred spot.
  2. Tarpan: In Tarpan, sacred water, sesame seeds, and Kush grass are used to offer to the ancestors while reciting specific mantras to provide satisfaction to their souls.
  3. Feeding Crows: It is essential to feed crows after performing Tarpan. Crows are considered representatives of ancestors, and feeding them pleases the ancestors.
  4. Feeding Brahmins: After Tarpan and Pind-Daan, it is also necessary to feed Brahmins, as it is believed to bring satisfaction to the ancestors’ souls.

If you are looking to buy authentic desi ghee diyas and incense to make your prayers more auspicious and powerful. Consider buying HarGharPuja products.

Who Can Perform the Rituals for Ancestors?

The eldest son of the family is traditionally considered the most suitable person to perform the rituals for the ancestors. However, if he is unavailable, other family members can also perform these rituals. The person performing the rituals should do so with a pure heart and devotion. Women can also participate in these rituals, provided they do so with full faith and adherence to the procedures.


Performing Pind-Daan and Tarpan during Pitru Paksh is crucial for the peace and satisfaction of our ancestors’ souls. Displeased ancestors can lead to various problems in life, making it essential to perform these rituals during Pitru Paksh. Offering Tarpan, Pind-Daan, and feeding crows helps bring peace to the ancestors’ souls, thereby paving the way for prosperity, success, and happiness in our lives.