Remembering ancestors - Mahalaya Paksha

I remember the Mahalaya Paksha period vividly as there will be no onion used in cooking at home and my father will have one time meal. The pre preparations for Navratri Golu (doll exhibition) will start and we all eagerly wait for the quarterly vacation! Suddenly everyone starts remembering their ancestors and becomes ritualistic in performing Shradh.

It took me long time to understand the significance of the Shradh period. I learnt it when my father passed away (2001). I was asked to follow many rituals with total faith. It includes tarpan during the Mahalaya paksha period, tarpan on every Amavasya day (one in a month), Shradh on the tithi of my parents (they are not alive) and tarpan to ancestors, as part of Brahma Yana performed every day.

As we do puja every day, one is also expected to remember, honour and worship the ancestors and parents every day through certain rituals. Though these rituals have to be rigorously followed by certain varnas, rituals during the Shradh period is mandatory for everyone (male descendants). Don’t you agree that flexibility is the beauty of the Hindu tradition.

This year it’s starting on the 18th of September and ends on 2nd October. The Shradh (or Shraddha) period, also known as Mahalaya/Pitru Paksha, is a 16-day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honoring deceased ancestors (Pitrus). It typically occurs in the month of Bhadrapada (usually September-October) during the waning phase of the moon, right after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival and before the Navaratri festival.

Why Shradh during this period? According to Hindu tradition, during Mahalaya Paksha, the souls of ancestors come down to earth to bless their descendants. It coincides with the autumnal equinox, when day and night are of nearly equal length, symbolizing a balance between life and death.

It’s the time to offer prayer to the deceased ancestors to express gratitude for the blessings and protection they provide. According to Garuda Purana and Vishnu Purana, it is the duty of the living to care for their ancestors’ souls through these rituals.

There are many beliefs around the rites performed and it’s based on solid faith (Shraddha). Offering Shradh rites helps in liberating the souls of the departed, enabling them to attain peace (moksha) and move on to higher realms or be reborn.

Many believe that if the ancestors are not properly appeased, their unsatisfied souls (Preta) may create obstacles or suffering for the descendants. Performing Shradh can remove such negative effects and bring peace and prosperity to the family.

This period is believed to be a time when the veil between the spiritual and earthly worlds is thin, allowing the ancestors’ souls to come closer to the living, making the rituals more effective.

It is normally observed by performing rituals on the tithi (lunar day) corresponding to the death of their ancestors. They do fasting, offer food to Brahmins, feed the poor, and donating to charity are common practices. Some avoid auspicious ceremonies like weddings or housewarming during this period, as it is considered inauspicious.

Mahalaya Amavasya (Sarva Pitru Amavasya ) is the last day of the Shradh period, considered the most significant, is a day for offering prayers to all deceased ancestors, even those whose dates of death are not known. Interestingly, Mahalaya also marks the beginning of the Navaratri/Durga Puja celebrations. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Durga begins her journey from her heavenly abode to earth to vanquish the demon Mahishasura.

What pleases me most is that even with modern-day changes and the influence of technology, the essence of Mahalaya remains unchanged. The rituals and traditions continue to be observed with the same devotion and reverence. Online platforms and social media have made it possible for people around the world to participate in the rituals.

Is it not enough to demonstrate the richness and power of our tradition and the unshakable faith in our practices, that connects all of us with our cultural heritage and ancestral roots.