History, Importance, Benefit and Puja Vidhi of Pitru Shraddh.

Brief about Shraddh Paksh or Pitru Shraddh

Shraddh is one of the most significant and extensively followed ancient annual ritual - Puja Vidhi of Sanatan Dharma as per sacred scriptures. Shradh period starts from the Purnima – full moon day of Bhadrapada to Amavasya also famous as Shraddh Paksha or Pitru Paksha or 16 Shradh or Pitru Shradh. The core idea behind Pitru Shraddh or Pitru Tarpan or Shraddh Puja is for salvation of soul of Pitru and showcase honour, commitment, respect and devotion towards ancestors. As per the Garuda Puran and Markandeya Purana the key scriptures for after death rituals, son must perform Shraddh Puja Vidhi or Pitru Tarpan Vidhi for salvation of father and ancestors will bestow wealth, health, long life and Moksha.

Several types of Shradha are mentioned in holy text like Nitya Shradh, Naimittik Shradh,Kamya Shradh, Bhishmashtami Shradh, Nandishradh, Karmanga Shradh, Vruddhi Shradh, Parvana Shradh etc. If the Tithi of Pitru is unknown or Tithi is missed by some reason then then Shraddh vidhi can be performed on Amavasya. Thus this Amavasya is known as Sarv Pitru Moksha Amavasya.

Legend and Importance of Shraddh

There are lots of tales attached with Shraddh, one is related to Lord Varah – the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu introduced Shraddh on the earth. Lord Varah had created three Pindas from his molar tooth and placed it on kusha – grass, these 3 Pindas resembles as the father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Other legend is associated with Lord Brahma, Rishi Atri and his son Rishi Nimi. After the death of son, Rishi Nimi invoked his ancestors for protection under the guidance of Narad Muni. He fed Brahmins with thought of his deceased son. Later on during meditation he found that due to this action his son received the respectable position in Pitru Lok.

Another one is related with Karna – well known donor and elder brother of Pandava. After the death of Karna, his soul transcended to heaven, where he was offered gold and jewels as food and not the eatable food. Thus Karna asked Indra about the reason for serving gold as food. Lord Indra told Karna that he had donated gold and everything except the food to his ancestors during Shraddha.

Shraddh Puja Vidhi, Pitru Tarpanam

Shradh puja Vidhi is mainly performed by the eldest son of the family. Proficient Brahmin – Shastriji in Shraddh ritual must be invited for Pitru Tarpan, Shraddh Vidhi or any other post death rituals. First step is to take holy bath in sacred river or lake and wears a ring made of “kush” grass. Offering of rice, black sesame, cow’s milk, ghee, sugar and honey, Kusha in form of the Pind to the ancestors – Pind daan with reciting Gayatri Mantra is most important part of Shraddh. Tarpan means Trupt or satisfy is the offering of water mixed with black sesame seeds, barley, kusha grass and white flours to God, Sages, ancestors’ soul and human beings and satisfying them.

As per the Ayurveda black sesame holds great characteristics to absorb the negative energy from inside and outside. As per convince, Yajman has to offer food, sweets- mainly Khir- Brahman Bhoj, clothes and Dakshina to Brahmin with south side face. Dan offered to Brahmana is believed to reaches to our ancestors. After the Brahmin bhoj, food should be share with crow, cow, ants and dogs. After this offer food and clothes to needy people known as Maha Dakshina should be performed. The crow is considered as the form of ancestors and come to our house in the afternoon on the appointed date to receive Shraddha. Thus every Indian family offer food to crow during this period.

Famous Place for Pitru Tarpan, Shraddh Vidhi, Narayan Bali

Siddhpur is famous as a Siddha Kshetra or Siddh Sthal, mentioned in Rugveda and Maha Bharat as well. It is believed that in the ancient time, there were many Rishi’s Ashram situated on the banks of the river Saraswat at Siddhpur, Gujarat. This ancient town is Taluka place of Patan district of Gujarat and around 115 km from Ahmedabad.

Bindu Sarovar is located in the ancient sacred city Siddhpur along with holy River Saraswati. It is believed, Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu did the Pin Daan ceremony of his mother at Bindu Sarovar. From this time this holy spot attracts lots of pilgrims from all over the India here to perform last rites ceremony of their mother. Thus Bindu Sarovar becomes popular for Matru Shradh or Matru Gaya across the India.

Chanod, the small town in Dabhoi Taluka of Vadodara district, Gujarat is located on the bank of Holy River Narmada, earlier known as “Chandipur”. The holy confluence of Narmada, Orsang and Gupt Saraswati near Chanod is known as Triveni Sangam and Dakshini Prayag.

People who are not able to perform Shraddh or Pitru Tarpan at Triven Sangam, Prayagraj can perform same ritual here as Chanod is highly sacred place for post death rituals. This attracts the people to perform Pitru Tarpan, Pitru Dosh Vidhi, Narayan Bali, Asthi Visarjan etc here as per Hindu tradition. Every ritual holds great importance and bring meaningful end of soul’s present life and creating smooth way for the future lives. Lots of temple, Ashram and Ghat makes Chanod as pilgrimage centres along the Narmada River. Thus it is also popular as city of temples and highly sacred spot in Gujarat.

Varanasi, Gaya, Prayagraj, Badrinath, Sannihit Sarovar in Kurukshetra, Mathura, Jagannath Puri, Haridwar, Dwarka, , Ayodhya, Avantika, Shaktibeah Tirth, Pushkar, Ujjain are highy sacred place of India for Shraddh Vidhi.

Benefits of Shraddh, Pitru Tarpan and Pitru Dosh Nivaran

There are lots of benefits of Shraddh Puja Vidhi - Rituals, few are mentioned below.

The key benefit of Sraddh is the descendant receives blessings from the Pitru – Ancestors.

This rituals helps in removing or reducing the effect of Pitru Dosha if any.

This Puja helps in improving health and cure serious diseases.

After performing this ritual, it is believed that ancestors will bring good fortune to their descendants along with positive energies.

This ritual also helps the individual to progress in spiritually.

This puja hold special significance to get success in Business or career ad protection from negative effects.

In short doing this ritual will helps in Long life, success, name, fame, strength, happiness, wealth etc.