Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by
~~OM~~
Mahalaya Shraddha
Navaratri is preceded by Mahaloya, the Great Dissolution, when we dissolve all our attachments to the creation, and in this way dissolve creation itself. Our last act in the old creation is to express our appreciation to our ancestors for preparing such a wonderful path for us. Now we can worship without obstruction for the Festival of Nine Nights.
The mantras contained in following pdf file demonstrate our respect for our ancestors: Tarpan Viddhi
Pitri Paksha
The Pitri Paksha is the dark fortnight in the Month of Bhadra dedicated to the offering of respect to our ancestors. Every day from September 5th, we have been making an offering in remembrance of those who prepared our path for us, to show our appreciation for those who started us on our journey to the fulfillment of our karma.
To discharge the debt we owe to our ancestors, we will want to show respect to the elderly in the same way we will want to be respected when we are old, and we will want to teach the next generations the way we want this world to become.
These fifteen days will culminate with the full Mahalaya Shraddha and Tarpan Viddhi, which will be performed on the morning of September 18th. If you choose, you can send the names of departed relatives to our prayer group for blessings.
Pitri Paksha Question
I am planning on performing Pitri Paksha this year and have some questions. First and foremost is that most resources say that the rites should be performed by a male relative. Will it be okay for me (a woman) to do it since there is no male relative to perform them?
Yes, you are authorized to perform the worship.