Pitri Paksha 2026: Key observances for women during ancestral veneration period

Pitri Paksha, also known as Shradh, is an important observance in the Hindu calendar when families perform rituals to honour deceased ancestors. During this 15-day period, households conduct prayer ceremonies and offerings known as tarpan to seek the blessings and peace of departed souls.

Women play a central role in maintaining household rituals during Pitri Paksha. Traditional practices suggest avoiding certain activities during this sacred period, including sweeping the house in the evening hours, as it is believed to symbolically remove ancestral blessings from the home. Similarly, disposing of waste after sunset is discouraged during these observances.

Other recommended customs include maintaining cleanliness of the home, preparing specific food offerings prescribed for the period, and avoiding non-vegetarian meals on certain days. Many families also abstain from wearing new clothes or engaging in celebrations during Pitri Paksha, reserving the fortnight for introspection and spiritual focus.

The period culminates with Mahalaya, marking the end of Pitri Paksha and the beginning of the Durga Puja festival season. Many communities use this transition to cleanse their homes spiritually and prepare for the festive season ahead, making the observance both a time for honouring the past and welcoming new beginnings.