PRABHU KI ASTHA

Pitra Paksha Puja Samagri 

Pitra Paksha, also known as Shraddha Paksha, is a 16-day period in the Hindu calendar dedicated to honoring and paying homage to one’s ancestors, known as “Pitrs.” Performing the Pitra Paksha Puja with the correct samagri (ritual items) is considered essential to ensure the proper appeasement of ancestral souls and to receive their blessings. The puja is usually performed on the tithi (lunar date) corresponding to the ancestor’s death, and the samagri used carries deep spiritual symbolism. The most important offering is pind daan, which consists of rice balls (pindas) made from cooked rice, black sesame seeds (til), barley flour, ghee, and honey. These pindas are offered with reverence to the ancestors, usually near a sacred river, peepal tree, or designated shraddha place.

The basic samagri includes kusha grass (considered sacred and used during the rituals), black sesame seeds, raw rice, cow’s milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, and clean water. These are often mixed to prepare panchamrit, which is used for purification and offerings. Flowers, particularly white ones like jasmine or marigold, are used during the puja, along with dhoop (incense), agarbatti, and camphor for performing aarti. A diya (lamp) lit with pure ghee symbolizes spiritual light and is kept burning during the puja. Betel leaves and nuts, fruits, coconut, and seasonal vegetables are also offered as part of the food given to the ancestors.

In addition to the food items, a clean white cloth is used to cover the area where the ritual is performed, often with a small altar or picture frame displaying the photos of deceased ancestors. A mouli (sacred red thread) is tied around the pindas or the water pot (kalash), which is used to invoke the ancestral spirits. Offerings are made using a bronze or copper plate and spoon, as these metals are believed to have purifying properties. Tarpan, the ritual of offering water mixed with sesame seeds and barley, is performed using a small pot or ladle while reciting mantras. Once the rituals are complete, food is usually offered to Brahmins or the poor, which is believed to fulfill the wishes of the departed souls. Every item in the Pitra Paksha Puja samagri plays a sacred role in expressing gratitude, remembrance, and seeking peace for the ancestors’ souls.