🕉️ As Pitru Paksha begins, it is believed that ancestors await remembrance from their families - offer your prayers through this special puja in Moksha bhumi - Kashi.

🕉️ Why is the first day of Pitru Paksha considered significant for ancestral worship?

Pitru Paksha is a sacred fortnight dedicated to remembering, honouring, and offering prayers to departed ancestors. According to the scriptures, until our forefathers attain peace, their unfulfilled desires may manifest as obstacles in the lives of their descendants. That’s why Pitru Paksha holds such profound importance.

This sacred 15-day period is dedicated to honouring our ancestors and seeking their blessings. It is believed that during this time, our forefathers descend from the Pitru Loka to Earth, expecting offerings, prayers, and remembrance from their lineage. Among all the days of Pitru Paksha, the first day - Shraadh Pratipada - is especially significant. It marks the opening gateway to seek relief from the cycles of Pitru Dosha and sets the tone for the entire period. The Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas highlight the importance of performing Shraadh, Tarpan, and Pind Daan during this time. The Garuda Purana explains that these rituals are vital to free oneself from Pitru Rina - ancestral debts carried across generations.?

🕉️ Why is Pishach Mochan Kund in Kashi regarded as a sacred place for Pitru Shanti?

Among the many sacred sites of Kashi, Pishach Mochan Kund holds a unique place in traditions associated with ancestral rites. Ancient texts such as the Kashi Khanda of the Skanda Purana describe this teerth as a place connected with liberation from lingering karmic influences and the performance of Pitru rituals. It is believed that prayers and offerings made here help invoke peace for departed souls. Complementing this sacred observance, the Ganga Maha Aarti at Assi Ghat is one of Kashi's most revered daily rituals, where devotees offer prayers to Maa Ganga, seeking purification, peace, and divine grace for themselves and their ancestors.

🔥 What rituals will be performed in your name?

On the first day of Pitru Paksha, learned priests in Kashi will perform:

🔸 Pitru Shanti Mahapuja – performed with Vedic rituals to pray for the peace, satisfaction, and blessings of departed ancestors.

🔸 Sankalp in Your Name and Gotra – the puja will be performed by taking your family's name and gotra, offering prayers for ancestral harmony and well-being.

🔸 Kashi Ganga Maha Aarti at Assi Ghat – a grand offering of lamps to Maa Ganga, performed while praying for spiritual purification, family harmony, and divine blessings for the entire lineage.

🙏 Begin Pitru Paksha with prayers for your ancestors

Pitru Paksha is a time to remember those whose blessings continue to guide future generations. Beginning this sacred fortnight with Pitru Shanti Mahapuja at Pishach Mochan Kund and the Kashi Ganga Maha Aarti is regarded as a meaningful way to offer gratitude, pray for the peace of departed souls, and seek harmony, prosperity, and blessings for the family.

🙏 Through Sri Mandir, participate in this sacred first-day Pitru Paksha Anushthan from the holy city of Kashi and offer your prayers for your ancestors with devotion and reverence.