Pitru Paksha 2026 — Varanasi
Pitru Paksha is the fortnight dedicated to ancestors — the dark half of Ashwin (Bhadrapada in the amanta calendar). Shraddha for a departed relative is done on the tithi of their death, in the afternoon (aparahna).
In 2026, Pitru Paksha runs from Saturday, 26 September 2026 to Saturday, 10 October 2026.
Pitru Paksha begins: Sunday, 27 September 2026
- Aparahna muhurat: 27 Sept 2026, 1:01 PM to 3:25 PM
- Krishna Pratipada begins: 26 Sept 2026, 10:19 PM
- Krishna Pratipada ends: 27 Sept 2026, 8:59 PM
Date and timings for Varanasi.
All days of Pitru Paksha 2026
| Date | Observance | Tithi / timing |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 26 Sept | Purnima Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 1:01 PM to 3:26 PM |
| Sunday, 27 Sept | Pitru Paksha begins | Aparahna muhurat: 1:01 PM to 3:25 PM |
| Sunday, 27 Sept | Pratipada Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 1:01 PM to 3:25 PM |
| Monday, 28 Sept | Dwitiya Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 1:00 PM to 3:24 PM |
| Tuesday, 29 Sept | Tritiya Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 1:00 PM to 3:23 PM |
| Wednesday, 30 Sept | Chaturthi Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:59 PM to 2:55 PM |
| Wednesday, 30 Sept | Panchami Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 2:55 PM to 3:22 PM |
| Thursday, 1 Oct | Shashthi Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:59 PM to 3:22 PM |
| Friday, 2 Oct | Saptami Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:58 PM to 3:21 PM |
| Saturday, 3 Oct | Ashtami Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:58 PM to 3:20 PM |
| Sunday, 4 Oct | Navami Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:57 PM to 3:19 PM |
| Monday, 5 Oct | Dashami Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:57 PM to 3:19 PM |
| Tuesday, 6 Oct | Ekadashi Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:56 PM to 3:18 PM |
| Wednesday, 7 Oct | Dwadashi Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:56 PM to 3:17 PM |
| Thursday, 8 Oct | Trayodashi Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:56 PM to 3:16 PM |
| Friday, 9 Oct | Chaturdashi Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:55 PM to 3:16 PM |
| Saturday, 10 Oct | Amavasya Shraddha | Aparahna muhurat: 12:55 PM to 3:15 PM |
How the date is fixed
Pitru Paksha begins falls on Krishna Pratipada of Bhadrapada (amanta) / Ashwin (purnimanta). The day is decided by the tithi prevailing in the afternoon (aparahna, the fourth fifth of the day). When the tithi touches that time on two days, the day it covers more is used.
Calculated for Varanasi. Festival dates can differ by a day between cities and between regional traditions; your family priest's panchang has the final word.
How it is celebrated
Families offer tarpan (water with sesame), pind daan and food to Brahmins, cows, crows and dogs on the shraddha tithi. New purchases and celebrations are usually avoided during the fortnight. Those who don't know the tithi perform shraddha on Mahalaya Amavasya.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Pitru Paksha in 2026?
In 2026, Pitru Paksha runs from Saturday, 26 September 2026 to Saturday, 10 October 2026. (Varanasi)
Why do calendars sometimes show different dates for Pitru Paksha?
Hindu festivals follow the lunar tithi, which begins and ends at different clock times. Each festival has a rule about which part of the day the tithi must cover — sunrise, midday, dusk or midnight. When the tithi straddles two days, calendars that apply the rule for a different city, or a different tradition, can land on different days. We show the rule we used and the tithi timings so you can check.