What is Ashtami shradha

Pitru

Paksha

is the specially designated time of the year for the Hindus to perform the shradh ceremonies of their ancestors. Pitru paksha duration is for sixteen days from the Purnima to Amavasya in the month of Bhadrapada (August – September). Performing shradh ceremonies is obligatory duty on part of every Hindu who meets the defined criteria. Hindu scriptures show that the offerings given to the ancestors through shradh and tarpan reach them in the Pitru lok (ancestral world) since three generations of the ancestors are stationed in the Pitru lok and they will suffer hunger if not offered shradh.

Ashtami Shradh
This year, Ashtami Shradh falls on 22nd September 2019

This day is meant for performing the shradh ceremonies of the ancestors who died during the Ashtami tithi. However, this day can be used to perform the shradh irrespective of whether the subject died in the Krishna Paksha or Shukla Paksha. If there had been any default in performing the annual shradh ceremonies of the ancestors, it can be compensated through the observance of Pitru Paksha shradh. In fact, the shradh and tarpan done during the Pitru Paksha also called as Mahalaya paksha are believed to give immense benefits to the individuals and their families.

Importance of Pitru Paksha Shradh
Pitru paksha shradh is highly auspicious and so a lot of devout Hindus keenly look forward to this period to worship their ancestors and offer them shradh and tarpan.

The Hindu

scriptures give a lot of importance to Pitru Paksha shradh due to their added benefits.