Shradh 2024 Start Date and End Date, Timings
by
Updated Aug 28, 2024
Shradh 2024 Start Date and End Date
In 2024, the Shradh period, also known as Pitru Paksha, starts on September 17 and lasts until October 2. This time is dedicated to honoring ancestors through various rituals and ceremonies. It begins on Tuesday, September 17, and ends on Wednesday, October 2.
According to the Hindu calendar, Shradh begins with the Shukla Paksha of the Bhadrapada month, starting on September 17 at 11:44 am and ending on September 18 at 08:04 am. The Bhadrapada Purnima fast is observed on September 17, while the bath and donation based on the Udaya Tithi will occur on September 18.
Shradh Explained
Pitru Paksha is a special 16-day period according to the Hindu calendar when family members offer pind daan to their deceased ancestors. It starts with the Bhadrapada Purnima and lasts for 16 days until Sarva Pitru Amavasya. During this time, families perform the ritual of offering food and water to their departed loved ones to help them find peace and salvation.
According to Hindu beliefs, offering pind daan during Pitru Paksha is very important for the souls of the deceased. It is said that Lord Rama visited Gaya Ji to perform this ritual for his father, Dasaratha. Because of this, Gaya Ji is considered a very holy place for these rituals, and it has a famous Vishnu (Rama) temple located by the sacred river Falgu.
Pitru Paksha Meaning
Pitru Paksha Mela is a 16-day event where people from all over the world come to Gaya Ji to perform the shradh ceremony and offer pind daan to their deceased loved ones. This year, the mela will start on September 17, 2024, and end on October 2, 2024. During this time, many people visit Gaya Ji to take part in these important rituals.
Pitru Paksha Shradh 2024 with their Name
| Date | Day | Tithi Name |
| September 17, 2024 | Tuesday | Purnima Shradh, Bhadrapada, Shukla Purnima |
| September 18, 2024 | Wednesday | Pratipada Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Pratipada |
| September 19, 2024 | Thursday | Dwitiya Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Dwitiya |
| September 20, 2024 | Friday | Tritiya Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Tritiya |
| September 21, 2024 | Saturday | Chaturthi Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Chaturthi |
| September 21, 2024 | Saturday | Maha Bharani, Ashwina, Bharani Nakshatra |
| September 22, 2024 | Sunday | Panchami Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Panchami |
| September 23, 2024 | Monday | Shashthi Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Shashthi |
| September 23, 2024 | Monday | Saptami Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Saptami |
| September 24, 2024 | Tuesday | Ashtami Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Ashtami |
| September 25, 2024 | Wednesday | Navami Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Navami |
| September 26, 2024 | Thursday | Dashami Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Dashami |
| September 27, 2024 | Friday | Ekadashi Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Ekadashi |
| September 29, 2024 | Sunday | Dwadashi Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Dwadashi |
| September 29, 2024 | Sunday | Magha Shradh, Ashwina, Magha Nakshatra |
| September 30, 2024 | Monday | Trayodashi Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Trayodashi |
| October 1, 2024 | Tuesday | Chaturdashi Shradh, Ashwina, Krishna Chaturdashi |
| October 2, 2024 | Wednesday | Sarva Pitru Amavasya, Ashwina, Krishna Amavasya |
Shradh 2024 Venues in Gaya Ji
Famous places for shradh karma or pind daan during Pitru Paksha 2024:
| Location | Location | Location |
| Vishnupad Area | Pind Vedis Gaya | Gaya Sarovar |
| Ramgaya | Falgu River | Waitarani Sarowar |
| Brahma Pad | Brahmakund | Suryakund |
| Surya Pad | Pretseela | Pitamaheswar |
| Indra Pad | Brahmakund | Rukmini Talab |
| Chandra Pad | Gadhadhar Vedi | Brahma Sarowar |
| Sitakund, Akshay Wat | Sharswati Vedi, Kaakbali | Godawari |
| Gaytri Ghat | Bodhitaru, Jihwal | Ramsheela |
Role of Shradh and Pitru Paksha in Gaya
Pind daan, or Shradh, has been a tradition since ancient times, mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. In the Ramayana, Lord Rama went to Gaya Ji for pind daan, and it is also said that Goddess Sita offered pind daan. This is why many people believe that women can perform pind daan too. In the Mahabharata, after Karna died, and went to heaven.
He was given precious items to eat. Lord Indra told him that he had only donated valuable items but never food to his ancestors. Karna, unaware of his ancestors, was instructed to return to earth and perform shradh to offer food to them. This story highlights why the 16-day Pitru Paksha is important in Hindu traditions.
Gaya Shradh 2024: What You Gain?
In 2024, Shradh in Gaya will start on September 17 and end on October 2. After death, souls can become restless if they are still attached to material things from their past life. They may wander around, seeking peace and salvation. It is believed that performing pind daan—offering food, prayers, and water—helps these souls find peace.
And move on from their earthly attachments. This act not only helps the souls but also brings success, prosperity, and happiness to the family members who perform these rituals. The Pitru Paksha Mela, a 16-day ceremony, is held in Gaya during this period to perform these important rituals.
