Pitru Paksha begins 2012

It begins with Pratipada Shraddha, on the first day of the Krishna Paksha following the full moon of Bhadrapada, in early autumn, and runs for a fortnight to Sarva Pitru Amavasya. For this year's date, see the date shown above.

Tarpan is the daily offering of water, mixed with black sesame, to the ancestors. Shraddha is the fuller rite performed with faith on the ancestor's tithi — including the feeding of brahmins and, where kept, pind daan.

On the tithi of the Krishna Paksha corresponding to the day the person died. Where the date of death is unknown, the shraddha is done on Sarva Pitru Amavasya, the last day of the fortnight, which serves for all ancestors.

The fortnight is a reverent period of remembrance and duty toward the departed, not a celebratory time. By custom, auspicious new undertakings such as weddings, major purchases and housewarming are deferred until it ends.