Pitru Paksha 2015

Vedic astrology or Jyotish is based on the Indian or Vedic calendar. Unlike the Gregorian calendar, the Vedic calendar is a lunar based system. The observances during each month are usually spiritually or religiously based and rooted in deep tradition.  One upcoming annual event is Pitru Paksha 2015.  September 28  marks the beginning of the time period known as Pitru Paksha (Pitt-true Puck-shuh) , or Shraadh.   For those in Fiji and New Zealand, Pitru Paksha 2015 will commence on September 29, according to my panchang.com.  Pitru Paksha (“the fortnight of the ancestors”)  is a two week period of time dedicated to honoring our ancestors. This includes our blood relatives as well as significant teachers in our lives.

Pitru Paksha 2015 is a time of remembrance and of offering our gratitude. Indians participate in special rituals and rites during this time.  Many offer pujas or yajnas (fire rituals) for their departed ancestors, which are performed by Brahmins, or Vedic priests.  There are specific chants and mantras which are recited during this period.  Our ancestors contribute to our karmic legacy and it is important to honor their departed souls.  Typically in Vedic astrology, the new Moon of each month (amavasya) is also favorable for honoring your ancestors.

Pitru Paksha 2015 commences on the first day of the waxing (dark phase) Moon in the Vedic lunar month of Bhadrapada each year. Bhadraphada  is the month in which the Moon is full in the nakshatra of Purva Bhadrapada or Uttara Bhadrapada.  I have written about this nakshatra in my monthly blog.  What is unusual with the start of this year’s Pitru Paksha is that there is a lunar eclipse for 2015 happens on September 27 in North America and September 28 in the rest of the world (source: mypanchang.com).  According to NASA, this total eclipse is visible in the East Pacific, North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Western Asia. Vedic astrology advises that you focus inwardly during an eclipse, rather than gazing outwardly at this sensation. Thus the energies of this eclipse are heightened as we are also commencing Pitru Paksha in most parts of the world. This makes it a powerful time for spiritual practices.

Individuals focus on their spiritual practices and meditation during the entirety of Pitru Paksha.  It is typically not a time to commence new ventures or to enter into new agreements.  Air travel should also be minimized as much as possible, unless it is for spiritual purposes (i.e. a pilgrimage).

Families pay homage to relatives who have passed on and they do so on the specific phase of the moon (the tithi) which coincides with the day that the person left his/ her body. Special meals are also prepared for these days, according to Indian tradition.  Offerings are made to ancestors at the bank of a river.  Pitru Paksha puja is done for ancestors who have been departed more than one year ago.  For those who have left within the past year, a different type of yajna is performed,  to ensure that the soul travels safely on its journey.  If you would like a Pitru Paksha puja performed in honor of a departed loved one, please contact Vedamurti Shri Vivek Godbole of the Shri Krishna Yajurveda Pathashala in Satara, India at sohamvg@gmail.com.

Pitru Paksha  2015 continues through October 12.  The festival of Navaratri directly follows Pitru Paksha.  These are the nine days celebrating the goddesses Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.