Shradh: An Ancient Way to Pay Homage, Express Love, & Respect to Ancestors

Shradh, a holy Hindu ritual performed to pay respect to ancestors which is observed during Pitru Paksha for 15 days in the month of Bhadrapad. Families express their gratitude, seek blessings from their ancestors through food offerings, prayers, and rituals to ensure peace for departed souls, building a bridge between generations.

Hindus believe that when families perform Shradh, their ancestors shower wealth, health, and happiness upon them. Shradh is both spiritual and cultural as it serves as a reminder to families of the values, customs, and duties that have been passed down from ancestors.

Shradh is performed during Pitru Paksha, a fortnight dedicated to ancestors, usually in the Hindu lunar month of Bhadrapada (September-October). Each day is assigned to remember specific ancestors who passed away on that tithi. This year, Shradh will be performed from 7th to 21st September.

Shradh begins with purification and invoking ancestors through mantras, food offerings (pind daan), water (tarpan), and sacred fire rituals (havan). Priests guide families in chanting mantras, food is served to Brahmins, cows, and the needy.

Food holds deep importance in Shradh; pind daan (rice balls with sesame seeds) represents nourishment for departed souls. Feeding Brahmins, animals, and the poor is believed to transfer blessings to the family, with the act of giving, compassion, charity, and the eternal cycle of sharing across generations.

Dos during the Shradh are that one should offer any food items to the cow, crow and dog, and worship their ancestors during evening time, lighting the diya. Don’ts during this period are to avoid celebrations, avoid intake of non-vegetarian food, the purchasing anything new, and not bring any negative thoughts.

Even in modern times, Shradh continues to hold deep spiritual meaning. Many families perform it at sacred places like Gaya or Haridwar, and online services now connect devotees with priests for rituals. Beyond rituals, Shradh teaches gratitude and the importance of honouring one’s roots.