India is a land where many intelligent civilizations prospered and vanished. But even today the high wisdom of those civilizations still exists in the form of certain rituals and ceremonies.

Western people or those with scientific background sometimes think that Hindu rituals are meaningless and superstitious. But it is not so, we may not know today but our wise ancestors had greater insight into things due to their high spiritual awareness.

One ritual which has great depth is the Shraadh, which is performed to give peace to the departed souls of our ancestors.

Shraadh is performed over sixteen days starting with Full Moon day of the lunar month of Bhadrapad (Bhadrapad Shukla Poornima) and ending with No Moon day of the lunar month of Ashwin (Ashwin Krishna Amavasya). This period is called ‘Pitr Paksha’ or Shraadh Paksha.

This year Shraadh Paksha is to be observed from 12^th September to 27^th September 2011

What do our Scriptures say? …

Hindu scriptures like Vayu Purana, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Garur Purana and Manu Smriti mention about Shraadh and also declare that our ancestors need to be pleased even before gods.

All religious activities done during this period give peace and salvation to our ancestors. The faith is that even food given to Brahmins and birds reaches our ancestors.

On What Date to perform Shraadh? …

You must know the lunar date of the death of your ancestor who’s Shraadh you wish to perform. Suppose your ancestor died on 20^st May 2011. From any Indian Panchaang you can find out that it was Tritiye or Tithi 3 as per the lunar calendar. So for that ancestor you should perform the Shraadh on 15^th September 2011.

Special Cases …

For all ancestors who died due to accidents, poison or weapons their Shraadh should be performed on Chaturdashi (26^th September). And for those who died on Chaturdashi the Sharaadh should be performed on Amavasya (27^th September).

If you do not remember the exact date of death then perform Shraadh on 27^th September.

 The following table will help you in determining the date for Shraadh.

 *This is also called Sarva Pitr Shraadh

 
The Benefits of Performing Shraadh …

We know that our ancestors get peace when we perform Shraadh for them. But those who perform this ritual also gain a lot. The Shraadh karm helps in getting rid of the Pitr Dosha.

Pitr Dosha …

This Dosha can occur in the life of any living being if his or her ancestors do not enjoy peace due to any of the following reasons:

1.     Bad Karma accumulated due to their wrong actions while they were living.

2.    Bad Karma generated by the children of the ancestors.

3.     Unfulfilled desires of our ancestors

4.    Sudden or unnatural death

Due to such Pitr Dosha which may be indicated in a person’s birth chart the person may face any or more of the following problems:

1.     Children fall sick frequently

2.    The couple may face problem in bearing children

3.     The married woman may suffer from miscarriage

4.    Birth of many female children

5.    Too many quarrels in the family

6.    Obstructions in education and career

7.    Physical and mental problems

 
Hidden benefits of Shraadh …

By performing Shraadh your ancestors are satisfied. In case you are living in an ancestral property then as a result of this the planet Rahu is propitiated.  As the south west part of a house is ruled by Rahu so due to a hidden benefit of Shraadh any defects of southwest portion are automatically cured.

Also as a blessing from the ancestors the planet Jupiter gets strengthened and this cures vastu defects of the northeast direction.