Today, 30 September 2012, Pitru Paksha begins with Purnima Shraddh & Pratipada Shraddh. Pitru Paksha or Shraddh Paksha is a fortnight dedicated to dead ancestors.
Pitru Paksha is observed from Krishna Paksha Pratipada to Amavasya in Ashwin month as per North Indian Hindi calendars and it coincides with Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapad month in Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu & Kannada calendars.
Also known as Mahalaya Paksha, Pitru Paksha tharpan is a highly meritorious deed to pacify our forefathers’ souls and get blessings of our dead ancestors. Pitru Paksha ends with Mahalaya Amavasya or Sarva Pithru Amavasya on 15 October 2012.
Each day of Shraadh Paksha is dedicated to each type of tharpan rituals.
Read the detailed calendar and dates of Pitru Paksha in 2012
Pitru Paksha Katha, Story or legend of Pitru Paksha in Mahabharata