Shraddha

Shraddha is the ritual most directly tied to a family's ongoing duty toward its ancestors, observed on a specific date each year rather than as a one-time visit. Knowing when and why it's performed helps pilgrims plan a Yatra around it correctly.

What is Shraddha?

Shraddha is a set of rites performed for deceased ancestors — usually on the anniversary of their death, or during Pitru Paksha, a fortnight in the Hindu calendar dedicated to ancestral worship.

Why it's performed

It's performed to honour ancestors and ensure their peace in the afterlife, and is closely related to Tarpan and Pind Daan, which are often conducted in the same ceremony.

Pitru Paksha

Pitru Paksha, a 16-day period in the Hindu lunar calendar, is considered especially significant for Shraddha — many families specifically time their ancestral rites to this window even if the actual death anniversary falls elsewhere. Gaya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj see a marked rise in pilgrims performing Shraddha during this period.