Saptami Shraddha
Also called: Seventh Tithi Shraddha
Dedicated to ancestors who passed away on the seventh tithi (Saptami) of any month.
Key facts
- Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Lunar month
- Ashwin (Purnimanta); Bhadrapada (Amanta)
- Observed on
- Krishna Saptami tithi
- Deities
- Departed Ancestors who passed away on Saptami
The story
Puranic verses explain that sincere offering of water by a dutiful son reaches ancestors instantly, quenching their thirst in the subtle realms.
Practices
- Offering three palmfuls of water mixed with sesame seeds
- Recitation of the Pitru Gayatri Mantra
- Feeding cows with fresh grass and jaggery
Regional variations
- Follows standard pan-Indian Vedic Shraddha vidhi
Common questions
- What is the Pitru Gayatri Mantra?
- Om Pitraganaya Vidmahe Jagaddharine Dheemahi Tanno Pitro Prachodayat.
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)