Items to avoid bringing home on Sarvapitri Amavasya on October 10, as per tradition

Sarvapitri Amavasya falls on October 10. The fortnight of Pitru Paksha is under way, and it will end after this new moon day. According to the Hindu almanac, this period is very important for ancestors. These days are observed to express gratitude to grandparents.

The day is also called Pitru Moksha Amavasya. Shraddha is performed on this day for those whose ancestor's date of death is not known. It is said that shraddha and tarpan bring peace to the souls of ancestors and keep their blessings on the household. The scriptures also say that bringing certain things home on this day is highly inauspicious, so they should not be bought even by mistake.

The first is iron. No iron item, or anything made of iron, should be brought home on Sarvapitri Amavasya. It is said that bringing iron on the new moon day invites Shani dosha, causes a shortage of money in the house and leads to financial loss. Iron utensils or iron goods should therefore not be bought on this day. If something must be bought, it should be bought a day before or a day after.

The second is mustard oil. Bringing mustard oil home on Amavasya is considered inauspicious. According to astrology, mustard oil is linked to Lord Shani. It is said that bringing oil on this day brings negative energy into the house, bad results and many difficulties. Mustard oil should therefore be struck off the grocery list for this day.

The third is sharp objects. Items such as needles, scissors, knives, nails and weapons should not be bought on this day. According to belief, bringing such items increases quarrels and disputes among family members and disturbs the peace of the home. Artificial or plastic items and imitation jewellery should also not be bought, as they are said to bring inauspicious results too.

The fourth is new clothes and footwear for oneself. Pitru Paksha is not a time for revelry. These days are meant for remembering ancestors and pleasing them. New clothes, shoes or sandals should therefore not be bought for oneself on Sarvapitri Amavasya. It is said that doing so displeases ancestors and affects life adversely. New clothes, if needed, should be bought during Navaratri, not on Amavasya.

Besides avoiding these items, it is advised to do some good deeds on this day. One should rise early and offer tarpan for ancestors, feed a Brahmin and give alms. A lamp should be lit in the south direction of the house. It is said that this pleases ancestors, brings happiness and prosperity to the household and keeps their blessings.

In short, one should be careful on October 10. The article says these items should not be brought home in the rush of shopping, or a small mistake could lead to big troubles.