mahalaya pithru paksham useful information gathered by svkindra

Mahalaya Pithru Paksham - Useful Information (FAQ) Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha! Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha! Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vasudevaya! Om! Ham! Hanumathe Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha! Mahalaya Pithru Paksham Useful Information (FAQ) Where to perform the Paksha Cermonies? As per the sacred texts it is suggested to perform the Paksha cermonies on the banks of sacred rivers or in sacred and celestial places like Gaya, Kasi, Prayaga, Kurukshetra, Naimisharanya, Rameswaram etc. If it is not possible they should be performed at least in one’s house. But in view of several practical difficulties involved we find they are being performed at various temples and religious mutts specifically meant for that purpose. For example all the branches of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt across the country provide such facilities to the Karthas. Who can perform these Ceremonies? One who is a Dwija (who has undergone the process of Upanayanam) should start performing these cermonies only after the death of one’s father. In such a case it should be performed by the son and not be the daughter. When more sons are available it should be performed by all collectively in case, they are staying together other wise, individually at their respective places. In case a person doesn’t have sons but only daughters, the grand son (daughter’s son) can perform these rites called as Dauhithru Shraaddham that is to be performed on the first day of Aaswayuja Masam (Aaswayuja Sukla Prathama thithi day) To whom the Cermonies are to be performed? The ritual should be addressed or performed only for the deceased persons and not for the persons who are alive even though they fall in the eligible list. Apart from one’s kith and kin it should be performed to one’s Guru, Teacher, Priest (Purohit), Friend or to any person whom one has come across in life and from whom has received help. How to perform these cermonies? Unlike other rituals and festivals, procedure to perform sacred rites to forefathers is totally different and it also differs according to one sampradaya. In view of the intricacies involved in the concept, they should be performed only under the guidance and supervision of learned purohits who are specially trained for this purpose. What are the materials used for these ceremonies? Dharbha (Kusa Grass), Cooked Rice, Black Sesame (Thil seeds), Water, Thulasi leaves, Pavithra (made up of Dharbha), Vishnu Padam (Foot print of Lord Maha Vishnu), Kalasha, Poorcha, Dharbha (Kusa Grass), Areca nuts, Coins, Betel leaves, Plantains (Bananas) On which day the Ceremonies are to be performed? It is prescribed that during Pithru Paksham the rituals (shraddha) should be performed on all the 15 days except on Ekadasi day. Since it is not practically possible to perform on all the 15 days, it should at least be performed for one day preferably corresponding to the Father’s Thithi (death) day. Rest of the days at least Thila Tarpana should be given to Sarva Pithru or at least to Dwadasa Pithru (Three generations on paternal side and three generations on maternal side). On the day of Mahalaya Amavasya Thila Tarpana should be given to all the eligible forefathers. In case a person due to some reason misses to perform the rituals on the said date, or doesn’t know the Father’s death thithi, it can be performed on one of the specified days viz. Ashtami or Dwadasi or on the day coinciding with Bharani Star, or on the day when Vyatheepatha Yoga is present during the fortnight, or on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya. If one misses to perform even on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya, still one can perform on any day before Aaswayuja Sukla Panchami. Even then if it is not possible, one can still perform the Paksha Shraaddha on any of the specified days mentioned above in Thula Masam when the Sun is in Thula Raasi (Libra) and before He transits into Scorpio (Vrischika Raasi). These cermonies should not be performed on the day of Ekadasi (Day of fasting). If father’s death corresponds to Ekadasi Day the rituals should be performed on the next day (Dwadasi) or on any of the specific days mentioned above. In case of those whose day of thithi corresponds to Chaturdasi, the Paksha cermonies should not be performed on Chaturdasi day. However, it can be performed on any other specified days as mentioned above. Performing Paksha cermonies on Chaturdasi day is earmarked for only those who had accidental death. This day is known as Ghaatha Chaturdasi. Similarly Pournima thithi also doesn’t fall in the Krishna Paksha. Hence, for those whose death thithi happens to be Pournima, the rites should be performed on any of the specified days mentioned above. Brief about the Ritual The ritual that is performed is called as Paksha Shraddha. Literally Shraddha means one that is performed with utmost sincerity and devotion. While the essence remains the same the procedure, customs and rituals may differ from region to region. The type of Shraaddha to be performed depends on one’s ability, patience, age, physical fitness of Kartha etc… It is prescribed and suggested to perform this ritual always as Anna Shraaddham/Pinda Pradanam (offering of rice balls) which is considered to be the most sacred and meritorious. It is believed and said that the rituals performed reach the departed souls through the rays of Sun God and Vasu, Rudra and Aaditya act as intermediaries. That is why the three generations of fore fathers are identified as Vasu, Rudra and Aaditya. We find people also opting for other types like Hiranya Shraaddham, Sankalpa Shraaddham according one’s convenience. Apart from performing the rituals one should also offer Anna Dana along with Thamboola + Dakshina at least to five Brahmins on that day. How to consider a particular day as Shraaddha thithi? Availability of particular thithi spread beyond noon (Aparaanah) is prevailed upon for considering a day as Shraaddha thithi. Some times two thithis occurs on the same day. In such a case Shraaddha will be performed on the same day for both the thithis. On Ekadasi day Shraaddha should not be performed. What is Avidhava Navami? Vidhava means Widow. Avidhava means not a Widow (Sumangali). Navami is a thithi in the Lunar Calendar. Avidhava Navami in the context of Pitru Paksham is the day on which cermonies/rituals are to be performed for those Women (Mothers) who died as Sumangali. It should be performed by the son on the Navami thithi day during Pithru Paksha and the ritual is different from regular Paksha Shraaddham. What is Dauhithru Shraaddham? Shraddha performed by a daughter’s son to his maternal grand parents is known as Dauhithru Karthruka Shraaddham. This is possible only when a person doesn’t have a son but has a daughter, in such a case, daughter’s son can perform this ceremony. This is an exceptional case where, a person (Jeevat Pithru) performs ceremony when his father is alive. This ceremony is performed on the first day of bright fortnight during Aaswayuja Masam. What is Maha Bharani Shraaddham? Mahalaya shraddha performed on the day coinciding with Bharani constellation during Pithru Paksha is known as Maha Bharani Shraaddha. It is said and believed that it gives the merits equivalent to Gaya Shraaddha. How to address forefathers while performing ceremonies? Each Pithru is to be addressed with their name and Gothra. If one does not know or remember the name and Gothra of forefathers, they should be spelled as Yagnappa (Male), and Yagnamma (female) and Gothra to be spelled as Kashyapa Gothra. Male Pithrus are to be addressed as Sarma and female Pithrus to be addressed as Dham suffixing their names for example male as Yagnappa Sarmanaam and female as Yagnamma Dham. In case Pithru Paksha falls during Adhika Masam? That means if Adhika Masam occurs during Bhadrapada Masam, then the Mahalaya Shraaddha that is required to be performed during the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of Bhadrapada masam is to be performed twice both in Adhika masam as well as in Nija Masam. Though Dharma Sindhu differs in this regard, Dharma Shastra Dharpana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, Mantralayam has affirmed the same. Those who would like to differ may follow according to their sampradaya. In case annual ceremony of Pithru falls during Paksha Masam? In such a case Pithru’s annual ceremony has to be performed on the said day (thithi) and Mahalaya Shraddha has to be performed on any other specified days. How to dispense with the Pindas(rice balls) after the ceremony? In this regard following tradition or sampradaya is in vogue. Feeding to the Crows Dropping them in water preferably in a river or a canal Feeding to a Cow Digging an earth pit about one foot depth and burying them in it One of the above may be followed according to convenience. However, they should not be thrown into garbage. What could be done when shraaddha can not be performed? As far as possible don’t avoid performing sacred rites on the scheduled date or at least on the specified days. In a given situation where, it is not at all possible to perform the shraddha due to circumstances beyond one’s control, one can adopt one of the following... Perform Pithru Thila Tharpanam Observe fasting on that day Give Saaka/Paaka Dana to a Brahmin in a temple along with Dakshina. Feed a Cow with grass/plantains When nothing is possible pray fore fathers and offer a sincere Namaskara. What else can be done during Pithru Paksham? We find people visiting Theertha Kshethras like Kasi, Prayaga (Triveni Sangam) and Gaya (Pithru Kshethra) for performing Pithru ceremonies during Paksha masam. At Gaya Kshethra there will be a big rush during this fortnight of Mahalaya Pithru Paksham. Garuda Purana can be read (Parayana) or listened to during Pithru Paksham. One can also sponsor for Pravachana of Garuda Purana in any temple or mutt during Pithru Paksham. One can donate as charity, Black Thil Seeds, Rice, Anna Dana, or any other material that is used for performing Pithru ceremonies to any temple or mutt who conduct or organise these Pithru ceremonies. Performing Anna Dana during Pithru Paksham is highly sacred and meritorious. Annexure Sarva Pithru list to whom Mahalaya Shraaddha-Tharpana to be performed Above list is also useful while performing Kshethra Shraaddham and during Parva Kala. Tharpana and Pinda Pradhana have to be done in the order as per the given list. Step Mother is included along with the Dwadasa Pithru in order of priority