Pitru Paksha runs September 26 to October 10, with tarpan arrangements at Banganga and other sites
Special arrangements for Maha Tarpan have been made at Banganga, Malad Marve Beach, Bhayandar Chowpatty and Brajeshwari Devi temple on the last day, October 10.
Pitru Paksha is observed every year for the peace of the souls of ancestors and for their blessings. This year it began on September 26 and will run until Sarva Pitru Amavasya on October 10. Notably, it began on a Purnima day this time, which is why it is being seen as even more special.
It is believed that performing shraddha, tarpan and pind daan during this period pleases the ancestors and brings happiness, peace and prosperity to the family. Remembering ancestors for the 15 days of Pitru Paksha, and making donations and offering tarpan for the peace of their souls, is considered very important. It is said to express gratitude towards them and also to keep the family happy and at peace.
On the last day of Pitru Paksha, October 10, special arrangements have been made for Maha Tarpan at Banganga. Special arrangements have likewise been made at Malad Marve Beach, Bhayandar Chowpatty and Brajeshwari Devi temple. Thousands of people are expected at all these places.
The Banganga tank belongs to the Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Temple Trust. Shashank Gulgule, secretary of the trust, said the pind daan rite is performed on all days of shraddha, but more than one lakh people are expected on Amavasya for Pitru Shraddha. Large numbers of people also gather for shraddha at Jaisal Park Chowpatty in Bhayandar East.
More than 10,000 people are expected for pind daan on the last day of Pitru Paksha. At the Brajeshwari Devi temple in Virar, at least 15,000 to 20,000 people are expected on Sarva Pitru Amavasya for Maha Tarpan of ancestors.
Pitru Paksha is a festival devoted to worshipping ancestors and pleasing them. There is no need to grieve during this time, and people have been urged to observe it joyfully. The scriptures say there is no deity like one's mother and father, and that all comforts come through their blessings. For Pitru Paksha, offering tarpan daily, performing pind daan at an auspicious time, and donating food and clothes have been prescribed.
If the death anniversary is not known, shraddha should be performed on Sarva Pitru Amavasya. During the 16 days of Pitru Paksha, shraddha is performed according to the date. On Sarva Pitru Amavasya, shraddha is performed for family members who died on Amavasya, Purnima or Chaturdashi. According to religious belief, shraddha performed on Amavasya gives peace to the souls of all ancestors, so shraddha should be performed for all ancestors on this day. Shraddha for ancestors whose death anniversary is not known is also performed on Amavasya. Tarpan can also be offered on Sarva Pitru Amavasya for family members who died an untimely death. It is said that this brings moksha to the ancestors.
