Guest guest Report post Posted September 16, 2008 Dear friends and devotees, Bhakti is eternal. We are now entering into the second half of Bhadrapada, which is called “Pitru Paksha”. Some information is already given by our elder brother Sri Dr.AAthreya Garu. Let us see more details:- Paksha: Which is called Paksha? Each lunar month is divided into two fortnights, called Pakshas. There are two pakshas in a lunar month, the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) and dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha). The time period between a day after the full moon and the next new moon is call Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight. The time period between a day after new moon and the next full moon is called Shukla Paksha or bright fortnight. The fortnights are called Pakshas. The 12 lunar months also form six rutus or seasons. Shukla Paksha is considered auspicious for rituals; Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha is named as Pitru Paksha, meaning auspicious to perform ancestral rites. Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya This is celebrated on the Amavasya day in the month of Bhadrapada. When the sun is in the zodiacal sign of Kanya or Virgo and in conjunction with the moon. It is a very auspicious day for offering oblations to the pitrus that is names of the departed ancestors. The whole fortnight called pitru pakshas i.e. the fortnight preceding Amavasya is sacred for propitiating departed souls. People go to sacred rivers like Ganga in North India, Godavari and Krishna in Andhra and Kaveri in South India to offer oblations and pindas to their ancestors. All Hindus take it to be an auspicious day, the twice born that is dwijas and particularly Brahmins perform the rituals on an elaborate scale according to the rules laid down in religious manuals. Rest of the people celebrate the rituals through Vedic pundits while the poor remain content with the offer of a day's ration called Sahityam or Swayampakam (food cooked one self) to their family priest in the name of their departed ancestors. The eatables and special dishes are prepared according to the means of the family. Non vegetarians drink liquor and eat meat for the satisfaction of the departed ancestor. With love and regards, Sastry. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 18, 2008 Shastri Garu Namaste. The information on Mahalaya Amavasya is very enlightening.Thanks a lot. I have a small querry and I hope you will answer me. My father's annual ritual falls on Aswayuja Shudha Triodasi. If I perform the ritual for all my ancestors on the triodasi day in this pitru paksha (falling on 27 september I think) do I need to perform the ritual for my father again on Aswayuja Shudha Triodasi? I intend to go to Haridwar to perform the rituals on 27 september - Saturday. My sincere heartfelt regards Prasada Rao Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted September 18, 2008 Dear Prasada Rao Garu, Bhakti is eternal. When I was about to give the reply, brother Vaidyanathan avl has given the details which are to be followed sacredly. With love and regards, Sastry --- On Thu, 9/18/08, Nadhan RV <nadhanrv wrote: Nadhan RV <nadhanrv Re: Mahalaya Amavasya -owner Thursday, September 18, 2008, 10:45 AM You should always perform annual Srardam without fail. The Mahalaya paksha offering is an additional one. In fact, this apart one has to offer thila tharpanam on all Amavasyas, two ayana arambam (Uttarayana and Dakshinayana) and Makara sankramanam. Even if you perform at Haridwar or at Gaya you need to perform annual thidi.. In some cases a few perform it like Santarpanam like a festivity. Regards R Vaidyanadhan, Chennai --- On Thu, 18/9/08, PRASADA RAO <prasada5 wrote: > PRASADA RAO <prasada5 > www.telugubhakti.com Re:Mahalaya Amavasya > > Thursday, 18 September, 2008, 12:48 PM > Shastri Garu > Namaste. The information on Mahalaya Amavasya is very > enlightening.Thanks a lot. > I have a small querry and I hope you will answer me. > My father's annual ritual falls on Aswayuja Shudha > Triodasi. > If I perform the ritual for all my ancestors on the > triodasi day in this pitru paksha (falling on 27 september > I think) do I need to perform the ritual for my > father again on Aswayuja Shudha Triodasi? > I intend to go to Haridwar to perform the rituals on 27 > september - Saturday. > My sincere heartfelt regards > Prasada Rao > > > > > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sivasankaran 0 Report post Posted September 29, 2012 Respected sirs, Shankar from Mumbai..... Regarding Mahalaya Amavasya.... I ask a question. I put three handfuls of cooked rice every day without fail... one for the pitru vargham, one for my maternal side vargam and one for any one whom we have forgotten. This is religiously eaten by crows daily. In such a case, is it necessary to have Mahalaya Amavasya tarpanam done separately. Regards Shankar Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smartrajesh 1 Report post Posted September 23, 2013 Thank you for your valuable inputs Sastry ji. I would like to add few more points. During the Mahalaya period, the ancestors are said to come close to the earth planet. The most deadliest curse is ancestor's curse. Doing tarpanam duirng this Mahala period will pacify and liberate them . People who have not done their tarpanam every year or on regular basis can make use of this period to pacify their ancestors and receive their blessings. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
