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In Sanatan Hindu religion, this holy fortnight of Pitru Paksha (Pitru Paksha 2026) is considered the biggest and sacred occasion to express our gratitude towards our ancestors, forefathers and great-grandfathers. According to the Hindu calendar, every year the period of 16 days from the full moon day of Bhadrapada month to the new moon day of Ashwin month i.e. Sarvapitri Amavasya is celebrated with full devotion as Pitru Paksha or Shraddha Paksha. During this time, people perform religious rituals like Pind Daan, Tarpan, Brahmin food and charity for the salvation, peace and fulfillment of the soul of their deceased relatives. There is a religious belief that if the ancestors are pleased during these days, they bless their descendants with happiness, prosperity, family growth and health. However, due to today’s modern, fast-paced life and busy daily routine, many times it is not possible for people to go to the river bank or perform proper Tarpan and Pind Daan in the presence of priests. Many people live in cities away from their families due to work or business or due to some other family and physical reasons they are not able to perform Shraddha rituals traditionally. If you are also unable to perform Tarpan or Pind Daan this time during Pitru Paksha, then there is no need to be disappointed at all, because in our scriptures and astrological beliefs, some simple and surefire solutions related to water have been mentioned which by doing them at home, you can please your ancestors and get their immense blessings.
Know why it is important to remember ancestors and the importance of water in Pitru Paksha.
According to Hindu mythology and scriptures, after death the human soul resides in Pitru Loka, where they experience hunger and thirst. When his living descendants on earth offer water and libation, he is satisfied. Water has been considered the basis of life and the biggest source of energy in our Vedas and Puranas. In astrology, water is directly related to the planet Moon and our emotions, while the positions of Sun and Rahu-Ketu, the planets responsible for ancestors, are considered. When a person offers water remembering his ancestors with a true heart, his positive energy reaches his ancestors directly through the universe. Even if you are not able to perform Pind Daan or Havan as per the rituals, still these miraculous remedies of water are considered sufficient to satisfy your ancestors and bring happiness and peace in the house. To perform these remedies, no big rituals or expensive items are required, but it only requires true faith, clear intentions and a little discipline.
First solution related to water: Face south and offer tarpan with kusha and black sesame seeds.
If you are unable to offer tarpan by going to the river bank or any pilgrimage site, then you can do this very simple solution by standing in the worship place or balcony of your home. For this, after taking bath in the afternoon, you will have to fill pure water in a copper or brass pot. Add some black sesame seeds, some raw milk and if possible, Kusha grass in that water. After this, stand facing the south direction of your house, because in Sanatan tradition, the south direction is considered the direction of Yamraj and ancestors. Hold the vessel of that water in both your hands, close your eyes and remembering your deceased relatives, pray in your mind that “O my ancestors, if I am not able to perform your Shraddha as per the rituals, please accept this water and forgive me.” After this, slowly flow that water into a pot or plant. It is believed that by offering water in this way, the ancestors are satisfied and negative energy is removed from the house.
Second solution related to water: Invoke the ancestors by offering water to the root of the Peepal tree.
In Hindu religion, Peepal tree is not just an ordinary tree but is considered to be the abode of all the gods, goddesses, sages and especially our ancestors. It is believed that along with the Trinity, our ancestors reside in the roots of the Peepal tree. During these 16 days of Pitru Paksha, if you go near the Peepal tree regularly or at least on Amavasya and special dates and offer water to its roots, then you get relief from Pitra Dosh to a great extent. While offering water, mix a little sweet (like jaggery or sugar) and black sesame seeds with water in the pot. After offering water, circumambulate the Peepal tree seven times and pray for the peace of your ancestors. Along with this, a mustard oil lamp should be lit under the Peepal tree in the evening. This remedy proves to be very effective in removing financial constraints, mental stress and obstacles in your life.
Third solution related to water: Keep a vessel filled with water in the south direction of the house and donate a lamp.
According to Vastu Shastra and astrology, the energy of the house has a deep impact on our lives. During Pitru Paksha, if you want to maintain positivity and blessings of ancestors in your home, then this third solution related to water can be very beneficial for you. All you have to do is keep a clean copper or earthen vessel filled with pure water in the north-east or especially the south direction of the house. In the evening, a lamp of ghee or sesame oil should be lit near that vessel of water facing south. While lighting this lamp, meditate on your ancestors and ask for their blessings for the protection and happiness and prosperity of your family. Next morning, pour that water in some tree or plant and clean the vessel again and fill it with new water. This continuous remedy calms the ancestral debt in your home and brings prosperity by ending family disputes.
Fourth solution related to water: Keeping a vessel of water on the roof of the house for crows, birds and the needy.
Giving food and water to birds, especially crows and dogs during Pitru Paksha is considered a direct means of satisfying our ancestors. According to religious beliefs, the crow is considered to be the messenger of Yamraj and the form of our ancestors who come to earth to accept the food and water given by us. If you are not able to go out and perform Pind Daan due to your busy schedule, then you should keep a clean bowl or vessel filled with fresh water on the terrace or balcony of your house every day so that thirsty birds, especially crows and pigeons, can come there and quench their thirst. Along with this, you can take out some part of the food in a separate plate and keep it on the terrace. When birds consume that water and food, it is believed that it is reaching our ancestors. This virtue gained by serving living beings directly pleases your ancestors and all the pending tasks in your life start getting completed automatically.
Fifth solution related to water: Giving water to the needy and thirsty and donating it in the name of ancestors.
Charity is such an integral part of Indian culture that it can avert every major crisis. During these days of Pitru Paksha, if you are not able to physically offer prayers to your ancestors, then you can dedicate water to your ancestors by donating water in their name. For this, you can make arrangements to provide cold and pure water to passers-by, poor and thirsty people in any public place, outside the temple or near your house. Providing water to the thirsty during summer and this transition period is considered the biggest donation. While donating water, take a resolution in your mind that “O my ancestors, I am donating this water for the peace and happiness of your soul, please accept it.” Apart from this, you can get a birdhouse constructed or make birdhouses for the birds. This social and philanthropic solution related to water satisfies your ancestors in the next world and never causes shortage of wealth in your family.
Conclusion and the last message of the patriarch
In the end, it can be said that Pitru Paksha is not just about performing rituals and formalities, but it is a passionate occasion to express true reverence, respect and gratitude towards one’s ancestors. If due to the busyness of modern lifestyle you are not able to perform Tarpan or Pind Daan properly, then there is no need to keep any kind of guilt or disappointment in your mind. These 5 small and simple remedies related to water, done with true heart and devotion, can give as much peace and happiness to your ancestors as big rituals do. All that is required is that you remember your ancestors, follow the good path shown by them and do not cause trouble to any living being. If you adopt these remedies with full devotion, then surely the immense blessings of your ancestors will remain upon you and your entire family, which will lead to success and peace in every sphere of life.