Right after the grand celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi end, begins the 16-day lunar period of Pitru Paksha. This is the time of the year when Hindus in India honor their ancestors by offering them food, water, clothing, and hosting a pooja in their remembrance. This period is also popularly known as the Shradh or Shraddha period, and it begins with Bhadrapad Purnima. But why does the Shraddha calendar show two dates, and when does it exactly begin this year? From dates to rituals, let’s understand everything about Pitru Paksha 2026.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Dates
You must have Shradh calendars showing two different dates for marking the commencement of Pitru Paksha. Here’s why!
A Hindu tithi is determined by the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon. It does not begin at midnight like in the Gregorian calendar. The lunar tithi is the same everywhere, and the Shradh calendar follows these lunar tithis instead of the Gregorian calendar.
As per the Hindu Panchang, Purnima Shraddha or Shradh in India will be observed on September 26, 2026. But the main Pitru Paksha period, which is known as the Krishna Paksha Pratipada Shraddha or Shradh, will begin on September 27, 2026. Just before the main Pitru Paksha tithi, Purnima Shraddha or Shradh is observed.
If you observe Purnima Shraddha or Shradh, then the Pitru Paksha period for you will last for 16 days. And if you observe the Pratipada Shraddha or Shradh, then the Pitru Paksha period for you will last for 15 days.
Pitru Paksha 2026 Shradh Calendar
In 2026, Purnima Shradh will be observed on September 26, followed by Pratipada Shradh on September 27. The Pitru Paksha period will end on October 10 with Sarva Pitru Amavasya. Also known as Mahalaya Amavasya, this day marks the end of the 16-day ancestor remembrance period for Hindus.
This year, the Pitru Paksha begins on a Saturday and ends on a Saturday, which makes it a very rare phenomenon. It is believed that because of this rare phenomenon, the benefits of performing Shraddha rituals and charity this time will be multiplied many times over.
26 September 2026: Purnima Shradh
27 September 2026: Pratipada Shradh
28 September 2026: Dwitiya and Tritiya Shradh
29 September 2026: Chaturthi Shradh and Maha Bharani
30 September 2026: Panchami Shradh
1 October 2026: Shashti Shradh
2 October 2026: Saptami Shradh
3 October 2026: Ashthami Shradh
4 October 2026: Navami Shradh
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5 October 2026: Dashami Shradh
6 October 2026: Ekadashi Shradh
7 October 2026: Dwadashi and Magha Shradh
8 October 2026: Trayodashi Shradh
9 October 2026: Chaturdashi Shradh
10 October 2026: Sarva Pitru Amavasya
What Is Pitru Paksha 2026?
Pitru Paksha is basically a 15- to 16-day lunar period in Hinduism where people pay tribute to their departed ancestors. The departed ancestors are known as pitris or pitrus and are offered prayers and sacred rites. This period helps the souls find peace and release any karmic Pitru Rin or ancestral debts.
Shradh is the formal rite that is performed on the specific lunar tithi based on the time of an ancestor’s death. Tarpan is basically offering water mixed with barley and black sesame seeds by facing the south direction. In order to nourish the ancestral souls, pind daan is performed, which means presenting cooked rice and barley balls.
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Pitru Paksha Timings
The rituals of Pitru Paksha should never be performed early in the morning or after sunset. This is because the morning time is reserved for the puja of gods, and the time after sunset is spiritually unfavorable for them.
The Kutup muhurat is considered to be the most auspicious time of the day to perform these rituals. It is believed to pacify ancestral elements and dispel negative energy. The Kutup Muhurat for this year is from 11:36 AM to 12:24 PM.
Next is the Rohina Muhurat, which begins right after the Kutup Muhurat. It is highly beneficial for performing charity acts such as Anna Daan. This year, the Rohina Muhurat is from 12:24 PM to 01:13 PM.
The Aparahana kaal is the period when the rituals must be completed, including Tarpana. This year, the Aparahana kaal begins from 01:13 PM to 03:38 PM.
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Note: This list was compiled after verifying current publicly available business information.
Summing Up
Pitru Paksha will be observed from Purnima Shradh (September 26, 2026) or Pratipada Shradh (September 27, 2026), based on personal beliefs or family traditions. The main days of Pitru Paksha begin from Pratipada Shradh and will conclude on Sarva Pitri Amavasya (October 10, 2026).
