Chaturthi Shraddha
Also called: Chauth Shraddha
Dedicated to ancestors who passed away on the fourth lunar day (Chaturthi) of any month.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Ashwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Observed on
- Krishna Chaturthi tithi
- Deities
- Departed Ancestors who passed away on Chaturthi
The story
Scriptures note that fulfilling ancestral rites on Chaturthi removes obstacles and brings peace to the performer's household.
Practices
- Midday Tarpan with kusha grass and sesame seeds
- Pinda offerings followed by Pancha Bali (cows, crows, dogs, ants, deities)
- Donation of sesame seeds and clothing to the needy
Regional variations
- Follows standard pan-Indian Vedic Shraddha vidhi
Common questions
- What is Pancha Bali?
- Pancha Bali is the mandatory ritual offering of food portions to five entities: cow (Go), dog (Shvana), crow (Kaka), ants (Kipilika), and gods (Deva) before humans eat.
Types of Pitru Paksha
- Purnima ShraddhaPurnima tithi preceding the dark fortnight
- Pratipada ShraddhaKrishna Pratipada tithi
- Dwitiya ShraddhaKrishna Dwitiya tithi
- Tritiya ShraddhaKrishna Tritiya tithi
- Chaturthi ShraddhaKrishna Chaturthi tithi
- Bharani ShraddhaChaturthi or Panchami coinciding with Bharani Nakshatra
- Panchami ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Shashthi ShraddhaKrishna Shashthi tithi
- Saptami ShraddhaKrishna Saptami tithi
- Ashtami ShraddhaKrishna Ashtami tithi
- Navami ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Dashami ShraddhaKrishna Dashami tithi
- Ekadashi ShraddhaKrishna Ekadashi tithi
- Dwadashi ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Trayodashi ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Chaturdashi ShraddhaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Sarva Pitru AmavasyaAshwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)