Shradh 2020: Rest In Peace Our Ancestors

Shradh 2020 is the time to worship and perform tarpan for the souls of our ancestors – in order to provide them peace and salvation. Pitru Paksha 2020 literally means the paksha or fortnight of the ancestors. During this period, devotees of Hinduism pay homage to their ancestors and perform the death rites, i.e., Shradh or Tarpan. Often people consider this period to be an inauspicious one, especially due to the ceremonies of death associated with it. Shradh 2020 falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, beginning with the Purnima (full moon) of the Shukla Paksha of this month, and ends with its Amavasya (new moon). As per Vedic Astrology, when the Sun makes its transit through the zodiac sign Virgo, the period of Pitra Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha begins. In this duration, for a month, till the Sun transits into the next sign, i.e., Libra, the spirits of ancestors leave the Pitra-loka where they reside and they dwell in the home of their descendants. At this time, one should perform Tarpan for the peace and salvation of these souls.

As per beliefs, after a person dies, their spirits reach pitra-loka in three days (thus the solemnizing of Teeja) or thirteen days (thus the solemnizing of Tehervi). Then again some spirits can take up to 37-40 days or one and a quarter months, at which time Tarpan is once again performed. Thus, however long it takes, a spirit will go to reside in the Pitra-loka. This is the domain of Yama, the God of Death, where three generations of ancestors live. When a person of the next generation dies, the spirit of the ancestor of third generation will unite with God in heaven. However, if a soul is not in peace, then they may never get to become one with the eternal nringh, Braham. Thus, one should perform Shradh and Tarpan during the Pitru Paksha or Shradh 2020, for their peace.

The ritual of performing Shradh frees the departed soul. Let us discover the dates for Shradh 2020.

Shradh 2020 Dates

Every year during Shradh, various Hindu families pray for their ancestors to rest in peace. During these sixteen days of Shradh 2020, each day is dedicated as a Tithi (date) of an ancestor. The Tithi on which the Shradh takes place is equivalent to the date on which the person passed away. Based on that Tithi, prayers are offered for the peace of the departed soul. For example, if a person passed away on a Saptami of any month, their Tarpan would be performed on Saptami Shradh. The last day of Shradh, that is Amavasya, is the day when we pray to God that all the departed souls rest in peace and may find a place in heaven. This day is known as Sarva Pitru Amavasya Shradh because on this day one can perform the Shradh of anyone.

The dates of Shradh 2020 are as follows:

On the Tithi of Amavasya, the families ask for the blessings of their ancestors. in the evening of Amavasya Shradh 2020, a special Atta or flour Diya is lighted. This lighting of Diya signifies Pitru Vidaai (final goodbye) to the departed souls. During this time, it is believed that post the rituals of Shradh 2020, their souls would rest in peace. Every Tithi of Shradh 2020 is a day to pray for the peace of specific departed souls, as each day is different from the other as per the Tithi of the departed soul. During this Shradh 2020, let us pray for our dead so that their souls rest in peace.

Let us learn more about the significance associated with Shradh 2020.

Shradh 2020: Significance Of Shradh

As per the holy scripture ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita’, one’s body is destructible but the soul remains immortal. The soul never takes birth nor does it die and is instead, ever existent. Hence neither air, nor water, nor fire, nor earth can destroy it.

The time of Shradh 2020 liberates the soul from the cycle of life and death resulting in salvation. Hence, performing Shradh during the time of Pitru Paksha 2020 is considered extremely important for the departed souls to rest in peace. Tarpan, during Shradh 2020, is equally necessary in order to get rid of Pitra Dosh (bad effects due to the non-performance of rituals of the departed souls). Let’s pray for the peace of the departed souls with full faith and devotion during the Shradh 2020.

Let’s discuss the significance and method of performing rituals during Shradh 2020 for our ancestors, before practicing them.

Shradh 2020 Rituals

During Shradh 2020, we pray for our ancestors so that their souls rest in peace. There are certain rituals which are performed during Shradh 2020. It is believed that if these rituals are performed with full faith, devotion, and respect, the departed souls will rest in peace and will also protect us from all the negatives and evils.

The rituals of Shraddh 2020 are as follows:

1. It is believed that Shradh of any ancestor or any departed soul in the family should be performed by a male member. It could either be the eldest son of the departed soul or the head of the family.
2. During Shradh 2020, one should pray religiously and control their anger.
3. On the various Tithis of Shradh 2020, Brahmins are invited at home and special prayers (Tarpan) are offered to the departed souls.
4. Post the ritual of Tarpan, Brahmins are offered home cooked food, brand new clothes, special sweets, and Dakshina (money). This offering has a special reason in the Hindu mythology, as it is a belief that this Brahman Bhoj during Shradh 2020 reaches the ancestors.
5. Along with the Brahmins, crows are also fed the same food, as the birds are believed to be the messenger from Yama. Along with the crow, dog and cow are also fed during Shradh 2020.
6. During Shradh 2020, one should do Mahadan (big donation). This ritual is performed in order to free oneself from the Pitra Dosha. It brings positivity along with the blessings of the departed soul. Some of the items donated in the Mahadaan are:

• Ghee (purified butter)
• Rice
• Gangajal (water of river Ganga)
• Mustard Oil
• Wheat
• Salt
• Steel utensils
• Shoes, socks or chappals
• Clothes (towels, Lungi, kurta)
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Kali Til (sesame seed) and milk

This Shradh 2020 when you perform Tarpan along with these rituals, pray for the peace of the departed soul. Before this, however, let us know the legend associated with the concept of Shraddh.

Shradh 2020: Legend Of Shradh

Shradh 2020 is the time to remember, thank, and honor our ancestors. The relevance of Shradh can be best known from one of the greatest epics of all time, Mahabharata.

Post war between the Kauravas and Pandavas, when everything ended, and Danveer Karna (one of the greatest legends in the war of Mahabharata) died and reached heaven, he was offered food in the form of gold and silver. On this, he questioned Indra the reason behind this. On this, Indra told Karna that throughout his life the latter had donated gold, diamond, and silver; but, never donated any food in the name of his ancestors. Karna reverted that as he was not aware about his ancestors; hence, he never did it. So, Indra allowed Karna to return to earth for sixteen days, during which he donated food, and performed Tarpan.

It is believed that during the time of Shraddh, ancestors come to earth to bless their kin. Hence, during Shradh 2020, it is important to perform Tarpan in order to get rid of Pitru Dosha. Remember the ritual of Tarpan (offering food, water) during Shradh 2020.

As per the Hindu mythology, there are some important places in India for performing the rituals of Shraadh for the departed souls to stay in peace and be happy. Let us discover these for Shradh 2020.

Shradh 2020: Holy Places For Shradh Rituals

It is believed that if you perform Shradh 2020 rituals at specified holy places, the departed souls attain more peace and their souls get liberated. The places that are best suitable to perform these Shradh 2020 rituals are mentioned below:

• Varanasi
• Prayaga
• Gaya
• Kedarnath
• Badrinath
• Rameswaram
• Nasik
• Kapal mochan Sesh Ambadi

Do not miss out to perform the rituals of Shradh 2020 by offering a thankful tribute to the departed souls at these holy places.

During the time of Pitru Paksha (Shradh 2020), there are certain things which should be avoided while performing Tarpan.

Shradh 2020: Things To Be Avoided During Pitru Paksha

During Shradh 2020, try to restrain yourself from doing all the things mentioned below:

• Avoid buying any new clothes during the time of Pitru Paksha (Shradh 2020).
• Any auspicious events like marriage, birth ceremony, etc. are completely prohibited during Shradh 2020.
• Try to avoid getting a haircut during the sixteen days of Shradh 2020.
• Refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food, alcohol, and tobacco during Shradh 2020.
• Try to avoid eating at others’ house during Shradh 2020. It is considered that if you eat the salt at someone's home (thus incurring salt debt), then their Pitru Dosha gets transferred to you. This can only be removed by balancing the act or through a remedial Pooja.

Hence, try to avoid all the above mentioned things on Shradh 2020.

Thus, it is believed that if the rituals of Shradh 2020 are performed with full faith, devotion, and dedication the ancestors are pacified, thereby attaining liberation. Our ancestors protect us from all evils, negativity, and bless us. So, perform the ritual of Tarpan for the peace of the departed souls during Shradh 2020.