Shraaddha
Encyclopedia
Śrāddha or Shraaddha (Death Anniversary) is a Sanskrit
word which literally means anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith (Śraddhā
). In the Hindu
religion, it is the ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s 'ancestor
s' (Sanskrit: Pitṛs
), especially to one’s dead parents. Conceptually, it is a way for people to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks towards their parents and ancestors, for having helped them to be what they are and praying for their peace. It also can be thought of as a "day of remembrance." It is performed for both the father and mother separately, on the days they became deceased. It performed on the death anniversary or collectively during the Pitru Paksha
or Shraaddha paksha
(Fortnight of ancestors), right before Sharad
Navaratri in autumn.
(person who performs shraaddha) invites Brahmanaas (individuals who are considered to be very noble, worthy, knowledgeable, etc.) that day, imagines they are his/her parent, performs a homa
, serves them with sumptuous food,and treats them with all hospitality and finally serves “pinda pradaana”. (pinda—balls made of rice, given as offerings to the Pitṛs). The Karta then gives "dakshina" (fees) to the brahmanaas. (There are various other actions done to show respect to the Brahmanaas, like washing their feet etc. during the course of shraaddha).
Since this is one of the most important and noble “” (rituals meant to cleanse the mind and soul) that the Hindu sages have envisaged, it is imperative that the performer of the ritual understands what he or she is doing. Only then will the true intent of the ritual be fulfilled and the performer of the ritual feel completely gratified. Else, the ritual becomes just a mechanical exercise for one’s part.
( ending with amavasya ), second half of the month Bhadrapada is called Pitru Paksha
: Pitripaksha or Shraddha paksha and its amavasya
( new moon ) is called sarvapitri amavasya. This part is considered inauspicious in muhurtshashtra (electional astrology). At this time (generally September) crops in India and Nepal are ready and the produce is offered as a mark of respect and gratitude (by way of pinda) first to the ancestors be they parents or forefathers before other festivals like Navaratri begin.
Many people visits Hindu pilgrimage site to perform, Shraadha ceremonies, like Haridwar
, Nashik, Gaya
etc. Haridwar is also known for its Hindu genealogy registers
.
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
word which literally means anything or any act that is performed with all sincerity and faith (Śraddhā
Śraddhā
Śraddhā is a Sanskrit term loosely translated as "faith", which is important in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist literature and teachings...
). In the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion, it is the ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s 'ancestor
Ancestor
An ancestor is a parent or the parent of an ancestor ....
s' (Sanskrit: Pitṛs
Pitrs
The Pitṛs , are the spirits of the departed ancestors in Hindu culture.They are often remembered annually.It is a Hindu's duty to his ancestors to beget at least one son, so that he may continue to make offerings to the Pitris....
), especially to one’s dead parents. Conceptually, it is a way for people to express heartfelt gratitude and thanks towards their parents and ancestors, for having helped them to be what they are and praying for their peace. It also can be thought of as a "day of remembrance." It is performed for both the father and mother separately, on the days they became deceased. It performed on the death anniversary or collectively during the Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha , also spelt as Pitr paksha or Pitri paksha, is a 16–lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors , especially through food offerings...
or Shraaddha paksha
Paksha
Paksha , is a fortnight in a month of the Hindu lunar calendar. Literally meaning side or period, that is either side of the Full Moon Day or Purnima...
(Fortnight of ancestors), right before Sharad
Sharad
Sharad in North India, variantly referred to as Sharat or Sharath or Sarath in South India, is the early autumn ritu, or season in the Hindu calendar. It roughly corresponds to the western months of mid-September to mid-November. Sharad is preceded by Varsha, followed by Hemant...
Navaratri in autumn.
Rituals
In practice, the kartaKarta
Karta can mean:Karta is the senior most and oldest person in Hindu Undivided Family who takes decisions regarding social and Economical aspects of Family. In the HUF Karta is the oldest person and all other males are his blood relatives. He has complete control over the family's welfare, wealth and...
(person who performs shraaddha) invites Brahmanaas (individuals who are considered to be very noble, worthy, knowledgeable, etc.) that day, imagines they are his/her parent, performs a homa
Homa (ritual)
Homa is a Sanskrit word which refers to any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action...
, serves them with sumptuous food,and treats them with all hospitality and finally serves “pinda pradaana”. (pinda—balls made of rice, given as offerings to the Pitṛs). The Karta then gives "dakshina" (fees) to the brahmanaas. (There are various other actions done to show respect to the Brahmanaas, like washing their feet etc. during the course of shraaddha).
Since this is one of the most important and noble “” (rituals meant to cleanse the mind and soul) that the Hindu sages have envisaged, it is imperative that the performer of the ritual understands what he or she is doing. Only then will the true intent of the ritual be fulfilled and the performer of the ritual feel completely gratified. Else, the ritual becomes just a mechanical exercise for one’s part.
The Shraadha period
In Hindu amanta calendarHindu calendar
The hindu calendar used in ancient times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. Nepali calendar, Bengali calendar, Malayalam calendar, Tamil calendar, Telugu calendar, Kannada...
( ending with amavasya ), second half of the month Bhadrapada is called Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha
Pitru Paksha , also spelt as Pitr paksha or Pitri paksha, is a 16–lunar day period when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors , especially through food offerings...
: Pitripaksha or Shraddha paksha and its amavasya
Amavasya
Amavasya is the Indian name for a New moon. The word Amavasya is common to many Indian languages especially Sanskrit, Hindi, Assamese, Kannada, Bengali, Konkani, Marathi, Oriya, Telugu, and Gujarati...
( new moon ) is called sarvapitri amavasya. This part is considered inauspicious in muhurtshashtra (electional astrology). At this time (generally September) crops in India and Nepal are ready and the produce is offered as a mark of respect and gratitude (by way of pinda) first to the ancestors be they parents or forefathers before other festivals like Navaratri begin.
Many people visits Hindu pilgrimage site to perform, Shraadha ceremonies, like Haridwar
Haridwar
Haridwar is an important pilgrimage city and municipality in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India...
, Nashik, Gaya
Gaya, India
Gaya is the second largest city of Bihar, India, and it is also the headquarters of Gaya District.Gaya is 100 kilometers south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. Situated on the banks of Falgu River , it is a place sanctified by both the Hindu and the Buddhist religions...
etc. Haridwar is also known for its Hindu genealogy registers
Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar
Genealogy registers, of Hindu families, maintained by Brahmin Pandits or ‘Pandas’, who double up as professional genealogists, at Haridwar, has been a subject of study for many years now...
.