Revering the Ancestors (पितृ पक्षः)
Hindus believe in Sanatana Dharma – a lifestyle with prime importance for righteousness, values to respect every living being in the universe as well as those who left us. Sanatana means permanent/ eternal. Following the principles laid in Sanatana Dharma helps to uplift one’s life towards divinity. Culture & traditions as explained in Hindu scriptures makes us see godliness, not only in every living being in this universe, but also in those who left their body. One of the important traditions in Hinduism followed since ancient times is paying homage to our ancestors. Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः) is one among such traditions followed by Hindus every year.
People express their heartfelt gratitude towards their ancestors who passed away in the lineage during these fifteen days of Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः). Hindus remember their ancestors by offering prayers by way of rituals as per the scriptures during the Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः). The 15-day period of Pitru Paksha mostly falls in the month of September. According to the Hindu calendar the fifteen days of dark fortnight of Bhadrapada month (भाद्रपदः) are known as Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः). This occasion of Pitru paksha (पितृ पक्षः) is also a way of expressing heartfelt gratitude towards our lineage for everything our ancestors have helped in the life & for what we are now. The Scriptures suggest that, the departed soul (आत्मा) becomes satisfied & peaceful when these rituals are performed by their beloved ones. This helps the soul to burn bad karmas & get a body to reach the state of liberation (मोक्षः).
The Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः) consists of two Sanskrit words Pitru (पितृ) & Paksha (पक्षः). The ancestors who are dead are known as Pitrus (पितृ) & Paksha (पक्षः) means fortnight. Together it means ancestral fortnight. Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः) begins on the first day of the dark fortnight of the Bhadrapada month (भाद्रपदः कृष्णपक्षे प्रतिपदा) & ends on the no moon day of the Bhadrapada month (भाद्रपदः अमावास्या) which is known as Sarvapitru Amavasya. It is also known as Pitru Amavasya or Mahalaya Amavasya. These fifteen days of Pitru Paksha (पितृ पक्षः) are considered inauspicious by the Hindus as death rites are performed during this time. So, no new works or ventures or business activities or buying house, etc. are started during this period.