Pitru Paksha 2024: The special tradition of performing Shraddha began during the Mahabharata period and it is a deep connection!

Pitrupacha 2024: Pitru Paksha starts on the full moon day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada and continues till Sarvapitri Amavasya. This time Pitru Paksha starts from today i.e. September 17th and will continue till October 2nd. Tarpan done during Pitru Paksha brings blessings of ancestors and peace and happiness always prevails in the home. But do you know where and how the Shraddha rituals start in Pitru Paksha? According to mythological beliefs, the Shraddha tradition of Pitru Paksha started during the Mahabharata period.

Pitru Paksha has a deep connection with the Mahabharata period.

In the Garuda Purana, Bhishma Pitamah narrates a conversation of Yudhishthir. During the Mahabharata period, Bhishma Pitamah spoke to Yudhishthir about Shraddha and its importance in Pitru Paksha. Bhishma Pitamah told Atri Muni to first impart the knowledge about Shraddha to Maharishi Nimi. In fact, Nimi Rishi was saddened by the sudden death of his son and he started praying to the ancestors. The ancestors appeared before him and said, “Nimi, your son has already taken a place among the ancestral gods and since you have fulfilled the task of feeding and worshipping the soul of your deceased son, it is as if you have already taken this place. A conversation was conducted between the ancestral gods.

Since then, Shraddha is considered an important ritual of Sanatan Dharma. After this, Maharishi Nimi also started the Shraddha rituals and after that all the saints started performing Shraddha. Some beliefs believe that Yudhishthira performed the Shraddha rituals after performing the last rites on behalf of the Kauravas and Pandavas by the soldiers who died in the war.

Also connected with Agni Dev

When all the sages and saints started feeding so much food to the deities and ancestors of Shraddha, they became indigestion and they all went to Lord Brahma. Brahma ji said that Agni Dev will be able to help you in this regard. After that, Agni Dev said I will also eat with you at Shraddha. This will solve your problem. Therefore, food from Shraddha is always offered to Kande and Agni to provide for the ancestors.