The holy fortnight of Pitru Paksha began on Monday across Odisha, with families performing Shraddha rituals to honour their ancestors. The observance will continue for the next 15 days until Mahalaya.
Devotees gathered at sacred sites such as Mahodadhi, Shwetaganga, Markanda, Indradyumna, Narendra ponds in Puri and Bindu Sagar in Bhubaneswar to offer Til Tarpan (sesame water) and Pinda Daan (rice balls) as part of the rituals.
Faith and Tradition
According to Hindu belief, ancestors descend during Pitru Paksha to bless their descendants, who bid them farewell on Mahalaya. Families avoid non-vegetarian food and perform sacred rites under priestly guidance.
A devotee from Bhubaneswar shared, “Performing Til Tarpan on the first day brings peace to our ancestors. Whatever we cook is first offered to Agni before we consume it.”
Another participant noted that the rituals began with Paita Parivartan (changing of sacred thread) due to yesterday’s lunar eclipse.
Priests’ Guidance
Local priests advised devotees to refrain from starting new ventures during this period but emphasised that ancestral offerings must be performed regardless of the lunar cycle.
