World · India Bureau
Three items best avoided during Pitripaksh, Hindu tradition advises
Hindu custom prescribes avoiding the purchase of certain items during Pitripaksh, the fortnight dedicated to honouring ancestors. Brooms, salt, and mustard oil top the list of prohibited purchases during this significant period.
LSN India ·

According to Hindu religious traditions, the purchase of specific commodities during Pitripaksh—the lunar fortnight dedicated to ancestral worship—is believed to invite spiritual imbalance. The period, observed twice yearly in the Hindu calendar, holds particular significance for rituals honouring departed ancestors.
Three items feature prominently in customary prohibitions: brooms, salt, and mustard oil. Religious practitioners caution against bringing these goods into the home during Pitripaksh, asserting that such purchases may disturb the household's spiritual equilibrium.
Hindu belief systems attribute considerable consequences to violating these purchase restrictions. The concept of "tridosh," or triple imbalance, is invoked to describe the alleged spiritual disturbance that may result. According to tradition, this imbalance can influence one's circumstances dramatically, potentially affecting fortunes significantly.
These guidelines remain deeply embedded in regional observances across India, with many households continuing to follow such restrictions during the Pitripaksh period. The practice reflects broader Hindu philosophical principles regarding auspicious and inauspicious periods for various activities, particularly those related to household management and commerce.