Pitra Visarjan | Mahalaya |Shraddh Samapan

Pitra Paksha, also called Pitru Paksha, Pitr Paksha Mahalaya, and Pitri Paksha is the last day of a 16 day lunar period in Hindu religion when it is believed that the ancestors of mankind visit them. The devotees worship their ancestors and pay homage to them for being a part of their lives. Also, they request their ancestors to rest in peace and bless the living a healthy and peaceful life devoid of any pains, sufferings, and sorrows.  Pitra Paksha or Mahalaya is considered of high value in the lives of the devotees because it is a common belief that the ancestors hold more power over the Gods and can make magical things happen. It is also believed that Pitra (ancestors) hold the power to grant more happiness and complete satisfaction from bad omen and evil spirits more than any sacred items. It is very important to treat our ancestors with the utmost respect and provide a feast of food and happiness for them so as to last another year whiles they stay up in heaven. Also, it is believed that in case of their reincarnation, they can be reborn into a good atmosphere and can make themselves feel comfortable.

Story of Pitra Paksha

It is said that when Karna went to heaven, he was given lots of gold and jewels over there as food. But Karna really had no idea why he was not provided with actual food. He asked the God of Death, Yama, the reason for him not receiving food. Yama replied that because Karna had donated gold all his life to the needy, he is getting back what he gave. This made Karna realize his mistake. He requested Yama to help him with this as he was unaware of donating food. Yama allowed Karna to go back as Pitra (ancestor) on Earth for 15 days (16 lunar days) and donate food. These 15 days came to be known as Pitra Paksha. The last day when he was going back, his people gave him food and water and a delicious offering with a request to stay happy and satisfied in heaven without any pains and suffering. This day was called the Mahalaya.

It is also believed that it was on this day when Goddess Durga killed Mahishasura, the demon who tricked Lord Brahma to give him immortality but lost to the Lord’s wit of blessing him with immortality from men and children. When Mahishasura tried to capture the Gods and overthrow them, Goddess Durga was born as Shakti and she killed Mahishasura with her Trident (Trishul). Mahalaya is the day to welcome the arrival of Goddess Durga on Earth to gain victory over Mahishasura in the coming 9 days.

Reasons for Pitra Paksha

Pitra Paksha is a way to pay homage to the ancestors who have departed from Earth after completion of their life here. It is believed that due to Pitra Paksha, a person gets to know about the 6 generations of their family and thus, not only strengthen ties but also provide a shield of protection from any evil spirits and demons and devilish thoughts. The last day of Pitra Paksha is called the Pitra Visarjan or Mahalaya and the ancestors are all set to return to the place of Lord Yama, the God of Death. The people have to bid farewell to their ancestors by treating them with amazing delicacies and homemade food so that they can have a quota of the entire year before they return next year.

Timeline of Pitra Paksha

• The first, second, and third day of Pitra paksha is for inviting the ancestors to the place of worship and performing Tarpan.
• Chautha Bharani is the fourth day of Pitra Paksha. Bharani Panchami is the fifth day of Pitra Paksha. These two days are to worship the ancestors who have died in the recent past, in the previous year.
• The sixth, seventh and eighth day of Pitra Paksha is for Shraddha and Tarpan of the departed souls of the previous 6 generations, who were very near and dear to the person, or people closely related to the person.
• The ninth day of Pitra Paksha is the Avidhwa Navami. On this day, the women who have departed before their husbands, who died while they were Suhagan, are paid homage to. The husbands of the departed wives feed the Brahmin wives to make the soul of their wives comforted.
• The tenth and eleventh day is for worshiping all the remaining Pitra, who were not worshiped in the previous days and those who will not be worshiped in the upcoming timeline as well.
• The twelfth day is for the children and those who had no home and have died an untimely death without having anyone for them.
• The thirteenth day of Pitra Paksha, unlike any other thirteenth day, is very Shubh (auspicious). On this day, all the departed souls gather to bless the person who does Tarpan and their entire family.
• The fourteenth day is called the Ghata Chaturdashi, or Ghayala Chaturdashi, which is for the souls who died because of the war or any other violent death.
• The fifteenth day of Pitra Paksha is a last chance for all those souls who were not worshiped until this day or have been forgotten about by mistake.
• The last day of Pitra Paksha is the Mahalaya. It is for the Pitras to go back to heaven to stay there and live the happiness of their successors while with Yama.
• Sarvapitri Amavasya is the 16^th day which marks the end of Pitra Paksha. This is the final day to worship all of the ancestors forever. It is the last chance for those who either forgot or were not in the capacity to worship their ancestors. This is the day before the new lunar period and is considered an opportunity to cover up for any losses or misses in the Pitra Paksha. It is believed that no Pitra should be left out because this makes them feel alone and angers them. The happiness of a Pitra can bring loads of joy but an angered Pitra can anger any other happy Pitra also. Hence, if you are capable, you should worship your ancestors and try to help those who are incapable of the Pitra Pooja. The benefits gained from this will always prevent you from any devilish acts conspired against you.

Place of Shraaddha

There are 2 places mentioned in the Vedas where Pitra Paksha Shraddha holds value:

1. Pishachamochan Ghat, Varanasi: The place for Salvation and completion of a life circle is considered to happen at Varanasi. Hence, the Pitra Visarjan Pooja (Pindadaan) takes place only by the Karamkaandi Priests of Pishachamochan Ghat in the Pishachamochan Kunda.
2. River Falgu, Bodh Gaya: There is an annual Pitra Paksha Mela at Bodh Gaya on the banks of River Falgu where all the devotees come together and pay homage to their people for a healthy and peaceful life after departure from Earth.

Myths and Facts about Pitra Paksha

1. Myth: Women should not do Pitra Paksha Pooja

          Fact: Women are equally eligible as men for Pitra Paksha Pooja.

2. Myth: Only White unstitched cloth should be worn during the Trapan and Shraddha.

          Fact: Unstitched cloth should be worn.

The preferred color is white But it does not mean that only white color should be worn.

3. Myth: Not doing Pitra Paksha Pooja is not a big deal.

          Fact: Ignoring Pitra Pooja is the worst crime to anger the ancestors and should be completely avoided.

Note

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