Pitru Paksha 2020: Significance of offering food to elders on Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha is a lunar cycle that takes place for 16 days. Within this period, Hindus pay homage to their pitrus or ancestors who have passed on. Pitru Paksha 2020 will start on September 1 and end on September 17. A variety of foods and dishes are offered to dogs, cows and crows during this time. It is believed that the food given to these animals and birds reach our deceased ancestors and makes them happy in their realm. But do you know why offering food to elders carry such significance during Pitru Paksha?

As per Hindu legends, we owe a karmic debt to our ancestors. By dutifully performing ‘pind daan’ during Shradh, we try to pay it back. After getting released from the circle of life and death from Earth, our 3 preceding generations reside in the world between heaven and earth. Yama, the god of death, leads this world. Here, our ancestors are not able to find respite from their bodily needs such as hunger, pain, thirst and heat. Only the offerings and puja performed by their succeeding generations on Earth can provide them with relief and ensure their entry into heaven. ‘Pind Daan’ delivers the unfulfilled wishes of our ancestors. The ‘raja-tama’ waves that emerge from their bodies are attracted by animals such as cows, dogs and birds like crows. Therefore, when we offer food to them, it is believed to be delivered to the pitrus, and they are pleased.

According to Hindu legends, Karna’s soul was taken to heaven after he passed away. There he was offered a lot of jewels and gold. However, he was not given any food. When he felt hunger and asked Indra why is he being served jewellery and not food, Indra said that he always donated jewellery and flowers to his ancestors but never offered them any food. Karna replied that he did not know who his ancestors were and so he could not give food. Indra gave him 15 days to correct his mistakes. Thus, Karna performed shradh during this period and donated water and food in the memory of his ancestors.

While offering food to the elders, one should remember to donate clothes and grains to the needy as well. This is believed to please them. As per beliefs, it is essential to not consume non-vegetarian foods during the entire span of Pitru Paksha to avoid curse from our deceased ancestors, also known as ‘pitru dosh’. If performing ‘Brahman bhoj’, only give the food with both hands and make sure that there are no garlic or onion in the food. Only use pure items like cow’s milk, ghee and curd for preparing the prasad. It is believed that the prasad should be ideally offered to the pitrus in silver utensils, if possible. Use grains like millet, barley, mustard and peas for the puja.