Pitru Paksha 2024: The time of Pitru Paksha is a special period for performing rituals for ancestors such as Shradh, Pind Daan, Tarpan etc., which lasts for 15 days. Every year, Pitru Paksha or Shradh Paksha starts from Bhadrapada Shukla Purnima (Bhadrapada Purnima 2024) and ends on Ashwin Amavasya (Ashwin Amavasya 2024).
During Pitru Paksha, people perform rituals like Shradhkarma, Pinddaan and Tarpan etc. for the peace of the soul of their dead ancestors and to get their blessings. It is believed that the tradition of Pitru Paksha has been going on for centuries. But let us know when and how it started-
Pitrupaksha started due to Karna’s mistake
While describing Pitru Paksha in Mahabharata, it is said that Pitru Paksha started due to a mistake of Danveer Karna, which is continuing till date. Actually, in Mahabharata, on the 17th day of the war between Kauravas and Pandavas, when Karna was killed by Arjuna, his soul reached Yamlok. Karna had done a lot of charity in his lifetime. Therefore, his soul got a place in heaven even after going to Yamlok.
Here he is served only precious gems and jewellery as food. But he does not get food. Then Karna went to Devraj Indra and asked why he does not get food in his meal despite doing so much charity.
Replying to this, Indra said that you donated a lot of money, gold, jewellery and gems but never donated food. You never even performed the shraddha of your ancestors. That is why you are not being served food even after attaining heaven.
After death, Karna performed the shraddha of his ancestors
Danvir Karna told Indra that I did not know about this. Now what can I do for my ancestors. Then on Indra’s request, Karna’s soul was sent to earth for 15 days. After coming to earth, Karna donated food for his ancestors in these 15 days. It is believed that later these 15 days started being celebrated as Pitru Paksha.
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